Kolkata have got the ammunition to win the title: Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram (R)

Heaping praises on captain Gautam Gambhir for bringing about a remarkable turnaround in the fortunes of the team, Kolkata Knight Riders bowling coach Wasim Akram said that the Shahrukh Khan-owned franchise have got enough ammunition to go on and become the champions of the 2014 edition of the Indian Premier League. 

Akram said: “We are sure looking at the final. Top-four teams in the hunt and it could be anybody's game. KKR is very confident unit but in T20 it is difficult to predict winners. But Kolkata have got the ammunition to win the title."

After a disappointing start to the tournament – winning only 2 of their first 7 matches – they have now ended the league phase on a 7-match winning streak, courtesy of some tweaks in the team batting order and their bowling combination. 

On why the Knight Riders took time to find their right combination, the 47-year-old said: "It was a new team. We were trying to figure out the combinations. And here I must give credit to Gautam Gambhir for the kind of captain that he is. He is not defensive captain who tries to stop the runs or save the match. But he is a positive skipper who guns for the wickets and goes for a win."

Yusuf Pathan scored a stunning 22-ball 72 in their last league match to help his team chase down 161 in 14.2 overs against Sunrisers Hyderabad; the victory took the Knight Riders to second spot, thereby getting two shots at the finals. Despite the Baroda big-hitter’s failures in the last 3 seasons, the Kolkata-based franchise reposed their faith by retaining him in the 2014 Auctions. 

The legendary Pakistan fast bowler said: “It is very difficult to bat at No.5 or 6 in this format. He just needs a little bit of confidence. I kept talking to him consistently. I told him how the psyche of a batsman and a bowler works."