KKR were inconsistent this season, says Kallis

Mumbai, May 17 (IANS) Following their loss to Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Jacques Kallis said that they lacked consistency and not winning enough away games has led the defending champions to the brink of exit from the group phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season.

Rajasthan Royals defeated Knight Riders by nine runs at the Brabourne Stadium here on Saturday. For Royals, opener Shane Watson struck an unbeaten 104 off 59 balls which included nine fours and five sixes to help them reach 199/6. In reply, Knight Riders ended at 190/9 in their 20 overs.

“We have been quite inconsistent this season. We haven’t won enough away games. Our form has been up and down. Last season we were quite consistent. It has been surely disappointing. We lost a few games this time which we shouldn't have,” Kallis said.

The former all-rounder defended the decision of including Azhar Mahmood in place of in-form spinner Sunil Narine, saying it was a tough call but extra grass on the wicket made the management take the decision of playing an extra seamer.

“It was a tough call. But extra grass on the wicket made us play an extra seamer as there was not much on the wicket for spinners. We thought including Azhar would give us an extra seamer option,” said the South African.

The 39-year-old praised Watson for his match-winning innings.

“Watson played a brilliant knock which helped them score close to 200 runs. But we also batted well to get close to the target but fell short. We lost a couple of wickets in the middle which hurt us,” Kallis concluded.