IPL 2019: Not taking wickets has hurt KKR, says Kallis

Following five straight losses in IPL 2019, Kallis, admitted that the bowling unit’s below par showing affected the team’s performance.

Jacques Kallis is not particularly happy with KKR's bowling unit.

The inability of Kolkata Knight Riders' bowlers to take enough wickets has put pressure on the team, head coach Jacques Kallis said on Tuesday.

Following five straight losses in the Indian Premier League this season, Kallis, admitted that the bowling unit’s below par showing affected the team’s performance.

“I think the frustrating part for us this season has been not taking wickets. If you don't take wickets up front, you are under pressure for the whole innings. I think we have probably taken 20-21 wickets (actually 35 wickets) in 10 games that we have played which has put us under a lot of pressure.

IPL 2019: Full coverage

“Your bowling unit will be under pressure. And you can't quite be as attacking. You are almost going to be more defensive when there were wickets in hand. The key for us will be to taking a few more wickets up front and making the life bit easier in the middle,” Kallis said during an interaction here ahead of KKR’s home match against Rajasthan Royals on Thursday.

The KKR coach said some players, including captain Dinesh Karthik and Robin Uthappa, had been given a “break” to get over the frustration.

However, he said there was no discussion over Karthik’s captaincy.

Kallis, who admitted that KKR had not been able to seize the momentum in key moments, backed his team to stage a comeback. “We've done it before. We have won 11 in a row... Certainly it's possible and the guys will try hard both off the field and on the field,” he said.