Gambhir Says KKR Are Not Chokers

Kolkata: Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir said that he was not surprised with his team's six-match winning streak and has asked his team-mates to maintain the intensity in the play-offs.

Speaking to the media after the end of the match, Gambhir said, "It is pretty relieving, especially after we had just two wins from the first seven games. From there to turn it around and win six games in a row is very satisfying but we always believed that we had the side to turn it around."

By defeating Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday, KKR booked their berth in the play-offs. Gambhir said, "Deep inside the heart, I thought we had enough talent to turn it around. It's satisfying but not surprising. It has not happened by fluke. We have really worked hard for it. Everybody has taken up responsibilities."

Gambhir went on to say that the team has not yet been beaten convincingly. The skipper said that he has not changed the fortunes of the team and this winning streak showed that KKR had shed the tag of chokers. "The reason I wanted to chase was that a lot of people were tagging us as chokers. That was my personal decision to chase in those five games. I wanted to get rid of tag that we're chokers and cant finish games. By chasing five games in a row, it has given the entire unit a lot of confidence."

He also said that individual credit has no place in a team sport. "I am not the one to be satisfied with achievements rather we need to keep working on and continue playing with the same intensity and passion because the actual tournament starts now."