Hyderabad: Reigning Indian Premier League champions Kolkata Knight Riders are looking to justify their “reputation” with a good showing in the sixth edition of the Oppo Champions League Twenty20 tournament.
“We can always make a comeback (in IPL) when you don't start off well as the tournament is two month long. But CLT20 is a short a format and you got to be off the mark as soon as possible. You can't wait for the things to happen, you have to be on the button. There is very less chance of coming back.
“Come 17th, we should be up for it. We didn't start well in IPL but we turned it later on ended up winning the tourney.
But this is different. If we can start off well, we can reduce lot of pressure from our shoulders,” KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir told reporters here.
KKR take on Chennai Super Kings on September 17 in their first match at the Rajiv Gandhi International cricket stadium here.
Noting that the side has players, who can give any rival team a run for its money, Gambhir said his outfit is motivated to turn around its fortunes in the CLT20.
KKR, who won their maiden IPL title in 2012, could not clear the league stage in CLT20 that season and also failed to cross the group-stage hurdle in 2011 as well. Gambhir has hoped that his team can replicate its IPL performance in the CLT20 event.
“You got to be ready for all challenges. You can't think that you can go out there and play two three bad games and make a comeback. That is not the case. We guys would address that come 17th” he said.
Meanwhile South African outfit Cape Cobras is also looking forward to the mega event and captain Justin Ontong said his team quickly needs to adapt to the conditions in India.
