It was a total batting failure vs Kochi: Gambhir

The narrow six-run defeat against Kochi Tuskers Kerala would serve a wake up call for their middle-order batsmen who were yet to be tested in the Indian Premier League, said Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Put in to bat, the Tuskers were restricted to 132 for seven but the total proved to be out of the reach of Knight Riders who conceded a six-run loss after managing 126 for nine in 20 overs.

Blaming their batters, especially the middle-order, for the defeat, Gambhir said: "It was a complete batting failure. The wicket was much better and we could have chased easily.

"Our middle order is not tested yet and I am sure this will serve a good wake up call for them. It's not going to be one person's day every day. Someone needs to put his hands up say it's my day and take the team forward.

"We bat really deep. We got a lot of depth. We got great finishers like Yusuf (Pathan), (Eoin) Morgan. They need to put their hands up at some point and say this is our job. Hope they do well in next games. Everybody has their role," he added.

In the Knight Riders line-up, Manoj Tiwary batted fluently for his 46 from 51 balls (2x4, 2x6) but he could not take the team home.

"He is in good nick. He always had the talent. Hopefully he wins the game for his team which is more important. If he wins the game for the side he will end up playing for India. He has all the talent and the skill. Right now it's all about KKR, he should be aiming to finish the game for KKR," he said.

Gambhir said they have a lot of positives to look forward to as they have played well in the tournament so far.

"It was just one bad day to be honest. We have won three games in a row and we can take a lot of positives out of it. It's not that we will be lacking in confidence. We have done reasonably well so far," he said.

Gambhir, however, praised his bowlers for restricting the Kochi outfit to 132 after their flying start.

"We did well to restrict them for 132. It was a great effort. But our batting did not click as a unit. It was not just the case today.

"I don't know the turning point but we should have chased. It just did not happen. We lost wickets at crucial junctures."

Gambhir had criticised Australian spinner Shane Warne for having commented that the Eden wicket was ordinary after Rajasthan Royals lost their last match and the Knight Riders skipper today said there was nothing wrong in the pitch.

"People who say this is not a good wicket need to check their own facts. I personally feel it's a very good wicket. We could have chased. It was a good batting wicket," he said.

On Yusuf Pathan's injury update, Gambhir said: "It's nothing serious. We hope he will be fit for the next one. We want him there."

Pathan seemed to be in pain and apparently hurt his knee after completing Ravindra Jadeja's catch at long on. He went inside the dressing room and came at no 7 to bat and had a runner in Eoin Morgan for him.