IPL 2019: Amid break, KKR send Karthik, few others to Mumbai fro practice ahead of RR clash

Kolkata head coach Jacques Kallis stated that players are frustrated, but realise they can still turn it around

After losing five games in a row in the ongoing season, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team management has taken a huge decision, raising quite a few eyebrows. The think decided to send a few players (including skipper Dinesh Karthik) to Mumbai and train at their academy before the next game against Rajasthan Royals on Thursday. Interestingly, the management also said that the team has been given some time off to regroup ahead of the next match. Kolkata head coach Jacques Kallis stated that players are frustrated, but realise they can still turn it around. “We felt the guys needed a break. Guys are given freedom to do what they want to for the next couple of days. It has been a disappointing couple of games for us so we thought that guys can go and do what they want - go home or some guys felt they wanted to have some middle practice which we couldn't get here, which we could get in Mumbai,” said Kallis. The former South African opener also backed skipper Karthik to get back among runs. “Hopefully he can get in and get us some big runs. That will certainly mean a lot to the team and as much as he wants to do it,” said the South African great. Kallis said there's been no discussion on removing Karthik from the captaincy at the business end of the season. “No, we haven't discussed it, nor has it been brought up,” he said. KKR now need to win all of their remaining four games in order to qualify for the playoffs smoothly.