Kolkata Knight Riders team very hungry to win says team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan

KKR owner Bollywood actor and  team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan with his son AbRam at Eden Gardens. Photo: PTI

owner Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan with his son AbRam at Eden Gardens. Photo: PTI - See more at: http://www.mid-day.com/articles/ipl8-kkr-squad-very-hungry-to-win-says-srk/16127169#sthash.hh8IMtR7.dpuf

KKR owner Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan with his son AbRam at Eden Gardens. Photo: PTI - See more at: http://www.mid-day.com/articles/ipl8-kkr-squad-very-hungry-to-win-says-srk/16127169#sthash.hh8IMtR7.dpuf

KKR owner Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan with his son AbRam at Eden Gardens. Photo: PTI - See more at: http://www.mid-day.com/articles/ipl8-kkr-squad-very-hungry-to-win-says-srk/16127169#sthash.hh8IMtR7.dpufv

KKR owner Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan with his son AbRam at Eden Gardens. Photo: PTI - See more at: http://www.mid-day.com/articles/ipl8-kkr-squad-very-hungry-to-win-says-srk/16127169#sthash.hh8IMtR7.dpuf

Bollywood superstar and team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan said his squad is "very hungry" for the top spot in the tournament.

Elated at Kolkata Knight Riders' emphatic victory over Mumbai Indians at the Indian Premier League opening match

"I love my team and we are sticking by boys who I think are international level players and I think they are very hungry to make it there and each of them have done so well, not only tonight but for the last three or four years," he said after defending champions KKR sailed to a seven-wicket win over Mumbai Indians at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday night.

SRK, who had brought his three children to the match, acknowledged the public's appreciation for good cricket.

"We have fans all over the country just like how they are for the Indian team and I think it's beautiful that in Bengaluru, Chennai, everywhere, wherever we go in Rajasthan, Mumbai...the crowds love you."

"Everyone, especially here and some other cities that I have been to, appreciate good cricket and we believe in that ourselves," said the matinee idol, in an interaction with a television channel.

The "Happy New Year" actor also highlighted KKR's sportsman spirit.

"Our last tweet which always comes from KKR before the start of the match is 'best of luck' to the opposing team. We have a rule in the team... be warm and hospitable to the team which has come to play here (in Kolkata)... try to win but the hospitality should be better. Till you win the finals... be humble," he said.

KKR sign Johan Bothaas and Azhar Mahmood as replacements

Johan Botha has been brought in as cover for Shakib Al Hasan, who will be with Bangladesh at the time of the IPL © AFP

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders have named all-rounders Azhar Mahmood and Johan Botha as replacements for James Neesham and Chris Lynn, both of whom will be missing the eighth season of the IPL, scheduled to start on April 8, due to injuries. While a hamstring tear has sidelined Lynn for 10 weeks, Neesham hasn’t yet completely recovered from an unnamed injury. Though raw, Lynn and Neesham, both 24 years old, are among the finest talents in world cricket now.

Neesham, who failed to make New Zealand's World Cup squad, has not regained match fitness after an unspecified injury. He had played four matches for Delhi Daredevils in 2014, was let go and later bought by Knight Riders for Rs 50 lakh during the auction in February.

Lynn was ruled out for 10 weeks after a hamstring problem in the Sheffield Shield earlier this month. He equalled the record for the fastest fifty in the Big Bash League and finished ninth on the charts with 243 runs at a strike rate of 148.17. His first-class season had begun with a shoulder concern, but they were laid to rest during a double-century against Victoria in Brisbane. With form behind him, Lynn could have filled the vacancy left by Jacques Kallis, who retired from all forms of the game last year. 
 Mahmood's vast experience - he has played 213 T20s - and knowledge of Indian conditions worked in his favour. He has played two seasons in the IPL for Kings XI Punjab - 2012 and 2013 - and made 382 runs at a strike-rate of 129.05. In 22 matches, he has also taken 29 wickets at an economy rate of 7.61.

Botha, who played three seasons with Rajasthan Royals and then turned out for Daredevils in 2013, was picked by the coach Trevor Bayliss as cover for allrounder Shakib Al Hasan, who will miss a part of the IPL due to national commitments since Bangladesh are scheduled to host Pakistan from April 15.

Botha had an average BBL as a bowler, but as captain he led Adelaide Strikers into the semi-final. "He is the Shakib type of player," Mysore said. "Whenever Shakib is unavailable Botha fits in in with similar skills."

Shakib is likely to play the first two matches at Eden Gardens - the tournament opener against Mumbai Indians on April 8 and three days later against Royal Challengers Bangalore. "He will play as many games as possible before and after the Pakistan tour," Mysore said. "BCB has been most cooperative with us and keeping mind the Pakistan schedule he will be allowed to play to the extent possible."
Venky Mysore, the Knight Riders chief executive, admitted losing Lynn and Neesham was untimely, but was confident that Mahmood and Botha would excel.


collected from:http://www.sportskeeda.com/http://www.espncricinfo.com