Last Update on: May 7th, 2019 at 01:35 pm
Kolkata Knight Riders‘ season came to a disappointing end on Sunday with a crushing nine-wicket loss at the hands of Mumbai Indians. The Knight Riders could only manage 133 for 7 after being asked to bat first. In reply, Mumbai Indians chased down the total inside 17 overs by losing just one wicket. And after the game, Knight Riders assistant coach Simon Katich made it clear that the team is struggling not only on the field but also off it.
The season was riddled with contrasting statements from players and coaches. Andre Russell never refrained from stating the team environment was not healthy while the likes of Dinesh Karthik and Jacques Kallis were quick to downplay the rumours of unrest in the dressing room. Katich has said that the dynamic within the group had started to change during the course of their six-match losing streak.
Our #IPL2019 journey comes to an end in Mumbai. #MIvKKR #VIVOIPL #IPL pic.twitter.com/1KBdSB0aSv
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) May 5, 2019
Also Read: IPL 2019: Dinesh Karthik Responds to Andre Russell’s Comments on Team Atmosphere
“Can’t hide from the fact that there was tension,” Simon Katich said. “That was pretty evident from the last few games after we got on a bit of a roll with losses. We’ve got to address that as a group. What is so important in the IPL is the dynamic if the group and I guess the unity. That’s something that KKR is very very proud of. It’s a very successful franchise and it’s something that everyone involved has worked very very hard to contribute to over a long period of time. That’s something we have to certainly work at to get better at it because there’s no doubt that throughout this campaign, the dynamic within our group has certainly changed.”
Also Read: IPL 2019: Gautam Gambhir Urges Senior Cricketers to Back Dinesh Karthik
Talking about the game, it was a dismal performance from Knight Riders with the result summing up their inconsistent season this year. Despite winning their previous two games comphrensivoely on the back of solid batting displays, the Knight Riders could only manage a modest 133 for 7. None of the batsmen managed to hold firm as Mumbai won the game with ease to top the points table.
