KKR hopes to replicate Eden Garden feat

Hyderabad, May 10 (UNI) Aiming to replicate their Eden Gardens victory, Kolkata Knight Rider (KKR) wants to carry on the momentum in their May 11 encounter with Deccan Chargers at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium here even as they kept options open of playing 'Rawalpindi Express' Shohaib Akthar.

Sohaib, who sat on the bench in KKR's last match, is ''fit'', David Hussey said during his pre-match media interaction here today.

''It will be for the (KKR) management to decide (on Sohaib playing). It will be an advantage (to KKR) if he plays'', Laxmi Ratan Shukla chipped in.

The ground is ''immaculate'' and KKR will be looking at 200-run target in an ideal situation of taking the strike first.

Though the team missed another Australian, Brad Hodge, KKR appeared confident.

''As the players are in form and playing well, we have a good chance to win, notwithstanding the scorching sun at Hyderabad. Indian wickets are different and we have adopted to it as well as the heat'', the Aussie hitter added.

The KKR team is cosy with Actor Shah Rukh Khan, the KKR franchise owner whom they see more as a friend than a boss.

''He meets (us) and mingles with team players. We have been told only to try our best,'' he said.

UNI DB GM RKM AS2104