IPL Points Table Standing: Kolkata Knight Riders benefiting from mentor Gautam Gambhir's strategy

Gambhir's strategy helping KKR

Young fast bowler Harshit Rana believes that the Kolkata Knight Riders are benefiting from adopting the successful strategy established by two-time IPL winner and current mentor Gautam Gambhir. This approach has propelled them to the top spot in the IPL points table as they maintain their impressive run.

During his tenure from 2011 to 2017, Gambhir led KKR to victory in the IPL twice and guided the team to the playoffs five times. He also took KKR to the finals of the now-defunct Champions League T20 in 2014. However, in the last seven years, KKR only managed to qualify for the playoffs twice.

Gambhir's return as a mentor this year has made a significant impact, helping the Kolkata-based team rise to the top of the table with 16 points after a commanding 98-run victory over the Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday night—marking their 8th win in 11 games.

"Not only this match, this entire season we have been focussing a lot on the style of cricket that Gautam Gambhir wants us to play. He has a lot of knowledge on how to turn games in our favour and it helps us a lot in the middle," Rana said during the press conference.

"Like today he gave the bowlers a free hand, to find the length to bowl depending on the wicket, and not to try too many things," he added. Rana (3/24 in 3.1 overs) played a crucial role in the win by taking three wickets while defending a target of 235.

"KKR read the wicket very well. The areas we had to bowl, we targeted the right places," Rana said. IPL's biggest buy Mitchell Starc has proved expensive this season but Rana said the team management is not at all bothered about his economy rate and has faith in the Australian speedster.

"We have not cared even for a bit about how expensive Mitchell Starc has been in IPL 2024. He has full faith in him and he won us the last game and we have no doubts on him whatsoever. "He has such a great influence on the younger players, he has such a huge wealth of knowledge," Rana said.

Rana said his dream is to play for India and is focusing on his performance. "My aim is to play for India but whatever franchise I play for I try to give my best on the day of the match. I will be selected based on my performance and performance alone," Rana said.

(Inputs from PTI)