Eden Gardens poses a different challenge: Owais Shah

Kolkata - Following a humiliating eight-wicket loss to Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals batsman Owais Shah Friday said playing on the Eden Gardens wicket is a “challenge”.

“Eden surely poses a different challenge. You just have to look at the stats and the way the games have flowed here, as opposed to other grounds in the country. The amount of boundaries scored here are significantly less than other grounds,” Shah said at the post match press conference.

He, however, admitted that the Royals did not play well and the target of 133 set by them for the Knights was at least 20 runs short.

“But that’s the nature of the pitch, and we are not complaining. When we come to Kolkata we know the ball here will keep low and slow. But that’s life. You have to accept it. We are here to play good cricket but unfortunately we could not come up with a good performance.”

“Our total was well short. Had we been able to add another 20 odd runs, things could have been different,” Shah said.

The England batsman was also all praise for youngster Sanju Samson who scored a 36-ball 40 to help his side reach a respectable total.

“He (Samson) has been a great find for us. There is lot of talent in India and those who possess temperament with talent make it big and fortunately Samson has both.”

“He has got a very good head on his shoulders besides being a very good batsman. He has been playing some very good knocks for us and we hope he continues to play well for us. Definitely he is one for the future both for us and for the country. Hope he continues to play well,” Shah added.

Shah refused to comment about the war of words between players of the two sides including Royals skipper Rahul Dravid.

During the Knights innings, after being hit for boundaries by Manvinder Bisla, Royals bowler Shane Watson seemed to have said something to the batsman who went straight to Dravid and said a few words which seemed to have angered the usually cool Dravid.

Players from both the sides had to intervene to pacify things.