Kolkata Knight Riders fast bowler Harshit Rana said that they are focused on following the template set by their mentor Gautam Gambhir in the ongoing Indian Premier League. KKR took one more right step towards the playoff qualification after they defeated Lucknow Super Giants by a huge margin of 98 runs at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Sunday.

With this win, KKR climbed to the top of the points table with eight victories in 11 matches. KKR has adopted an aggressive batting approach and their openers – Phil Salt and Sunil Narine – have led the way.

Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir is certainly playing a key role in the success of the franchise from behind the scenes. Gambhir led KKR to glory in two editions – 2012 and 2014 and he is now doing a fine job as a mentor.

“Not only this match, this entire season we have been focussing a lot on the style of cricket that Gautam Gambhir wants us to play. He has a lot of knowledge on how to turn games in our favour and it helps us a lot in the middle,” Rana said during the press conference.

“Like today he gave the bowlers a free hand, to find the length to bowl depending on the wicket, and not to try too many things,” he added.

Meanwhile, Rana returned with impressive figures of 3-24 in 3.1 overs he bowled and played a key role in skittling out LSG for 137.

“KKR read the wicket very well. The areas we had to bowl, we targeted the right places,” Rana said.

On the other hand, Mitchell Starc has been expensive in the ongoing season but Rana said the team is not too bothered about it. Starc has picked 12 wickets in 10 matches but he has conceded his runs at a high economy rate of 11.37.

“We have not cared even for a bit on how expensive Mitchell Starc has been in IPL 2024. We have full faith in him and he won us the last game and we have no doubts on him whatsoever.

“He has such a great influence on the younger players, he has such a huge wealth of knowledge,” Rana said.

KKR will next take on Mumbai Indians at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Saturday.