Bangalore: A furious Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Sourav Ganguly lashed out at his team following the abject manner in which they caved in against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Saturday night. ‘‘I thought we played good cricket for the first 10 overs and for the remaining overs of the match, we were absolutely rubbish. In one line, we were rubbish,'' the KKR captain fumed after the game, reports Times of India.
The defeat has left the Kolkata side needing to win all their three remaining matches to have any hopes of qualifying for a last-four berth, but Ganguly preferred to look at the worrying present while assessing the team's semifinal chances.
‘‘We have to play better cricket. If we play cricket like this, we don't deserve to be in the semifinals. There are other teams who are playing better cricket than us. If we have to get there first, let's play better cricket and win matches,'' stated the former India captain.
Ganguly, the most successful Indian captain ever, is known for his ability to inspire his teammates during difficult times, but the comprehensive loss to RCB seems to have left the Prince of Kolkata disheartened.
‘‘I don't mind losing, but we were pathetic on the field. I can talk, I can lift them up. But they need to lift themselves. I can't go and field for them, I can't go and bowl for them. When I was leading India, I had some serious talent to look after. That probably helped. Hopefully these guys will look after themselves,'' said Ganguly, who was handed back the captaincy in IPL 3 after KKR's lastplace finish in the second edition of the eight-team tourney.
‘‘They have to pick themselves up, there's no option. They're professionals. The entire world is watching, the selectors are watching. If they play like this, God help their careers,'' added Ganguly.
When asked about Ishant Sharma's unsatisfactory performance on the day, Ganguly replied in a tone that aptly reflected his mood. ‘‘You have to ask Ishant that question,'' said Ganguly.
Sad over his close friend Bobby Chawla's illness, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan twitted on Sunday that his team Kolkata Knight Riders' defeat by Bangalore Royal Challengers added to his woes. ‘‘Bad day yesterday. Friend still not well...had to take hugs from kids and friends to avoid being sad. KKR did little to help either,'' the Bollywood hero twitted. ‘‘Have to spend more time with people I love and care for.”
