Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Chandrakant Pandit has emphasized that his team is focused on their own game and is capable of shutting out the noise surrounding MS Dhoni's return to Kolkata ahead of their IPL 2025 clash with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 7 at Eden Gardens. Dhoni, with his strong emotional connection to the city, often draws immense support from fans, regardless of their allegiance to KKR. Pandit, however, made it clear that his players will not be distracted by the overwhelming presence of Dhoni supporters.
In his pre-match comments, Pandit said, "During these kinds of games, every player and every team is always focused on their own game." He likened the situation to a batter facing a loud crowd but being unaware of the noise, as players tune it out when they are focused on the task at hand. Pandit emphasized that his team automatically ignores any external distractions, especially when the game is at the forefront of their minds.
Pandit also expressed confidence that KKR isn’t feeling the pressure despite the need to win all remaining games to stay in the playoff race. Acknowledging that the team has the potential with what he believes is the best batting lineup, Pandit noted that it had not performed to its potential this season but remains optimistic about its ability to deliver in the remaining matches. "We know the ability of every individual player. We believe in them. To maintain that, you have to give them a lot of confidence," he said.
As KKR prepares for their crucial encounter with CSK, the team’s focus remains on executing their best performance and trying to make the most of the remaining games to keep their playoff hopes alive.
