![]() ![]() They are a very solid side, we are aware of that. "It's good that we are playing them early in the tournament. KKR have a lopsided head-to-head record against the four-time defending champions Mumbai Indians who have won 18 times from 23 encounters. But yes, 160 is a very interesting number this year," Karthik said. But there's no reason why a higher total can't be achieved. "Looking at the games so far, I think 160 is a par score on most grounds. The first two matches have witnessed scores in the region of 160 and Karthik said it seems to be the number in the IPL in UAE this time. It's going to be a hard decision to make who's going to start the tournament," Karthik said. All four Indian pacers are shaping up really well. One of our strengths is the variety we have in our pace department. Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi are coming back after long injury lay-offs, while they also have the talented Prasidh Krishna alongside Sandeep Warrier. While Cummins will lead the pace attack, it remains to be seen who will be the Indian pick. The team has a new coaching set up led by New Zealand great McCullum, while addition of England's 2019 World Cup winning skipper Eoin Morgan and pacer Pat Cummins provides solidity and balance to the side this time. It's going to be an interesting one and a tough one but that's a good sign." Last season KKR started off well by winning four of their first five matches, but lost six matches on the trot in the business end to miss the qualifiers. A lot of guys have put their hands up and are ready for selection. "One of the tough points for KKR at this point of time is picking the right XI. It's a very unique opening pair." Karthik admitted that he has the 'problem of plenty' to pick the XI from a revamped Kolkata Knight Riders squad. "No complicated batting by Sunil Narine makes it easy for us. In Gill and Sunil Narine, KKR have got the perfect opening combination, he said. There is a lot of expectation from him around the world, I'm sure he will exceed all expectations and I'm really confident about that," Karthik said in a virtual interaction ahead of the clash against Mumbai Indians. Check IPL 2020 League Stage Schedule "Shubman is a quality player. Gill got limited opportunity to showcase his skills in the last edition as his batting position was constantly fiddled but this time KKR coach Brendon McCullum has already given the opener's slot to the 21-year-old. ABU DHABI: Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Dinesh Karthik is optimistic that talented India batsman Shubman Gill will exceed all expectations in the current IPL edition. ![]()
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