Punjab will revel playing before Eden crowd: Coach Bangar

FILE PHOTO: Sanjay Bangar

Kolkata – Up against the Kolkata Knight Riders in their home ground, Kings XI Punjab coach Sanjay Bangar on Monday asserted that a capacity Eden Gardens crowd for Tuesday's Indian Premier League qualifier wouldn't be intimidation, rather the atmosphere will spur them to revel.

"We are looking forward to playing before the Eden crowd. Eden Gardens does produce some great cricket because of the crowd and the atmosphere that is created. It's good to have that sort of competition, that sort of challenge for both the teams and I think we will revel in those conditions," Bangar said on the match eve.

The two sides have won one game each in their two meetings in the ongoing tourney.

Bangar praised the Kolkata outfit for making it to the playoffs but said past records won't have any bearing.

"KKR were not exactly in the position to be No.2 in the points table, but they played some outstanding cricket to be there. All the four teams which have qualified for the playoffs have played some good cricket and deserve to be there.

"But at the same time, past records don't really indicate anything and whichever team plays well that day will have an edge," said Bangar.

Bangar was all praise for his young Indian bowlers.

"Our young Indian bowlers, who are not really heard off, have come of well and delivered for us, from that perspective we are very pleased with our bowling."

On the consistent performance of his team which has won 11 of the 14 games to be table toppers, Bangar said: "The key is not to look too far ahead and doing things that we are good at and at the same time try and challenge our own limitations.

"That has been our emphasis and we have not gone beyond that. May be that has helped us to play consistent cricket over a longer period of time."

On his own performance, Bangar - the only Indian to be head coach of an IPL franchise - attributed his success to having been played domestic cricket till recently.

"I always felt the sense of responsibility that the fortunes of how the team goes might have a bearing on some opportunities opening up for Indian coaches. So I have tried to give my best and step up and take the responsibility.

"As I have been playing domestic cricket till very late, that might have been an advantage for me to understand how young players respond to a given situation," said Bangar, who played his final first class game in December 2012.