See Myself As Natural Leader: KKR All-Rounder Carlos Brathwaite

Kolkata: At a time when Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Dinesh Karthik is under the pump, Carlos Brathwaite said the team does not have a leadership group within the squad and everyone contributes when required.

“I guess we don’t have a leadership group per se. If you’re a leader by nature, it will show in whatever you say, whatever you do, how you say things and how you do it. So my mannerisms will be the same, regardless of which team I play for,” Carlos Brathwaite told reporters on the eve of KKR’s must-win encounter against fellow laggards Rajasthan Royals.

Carlos Brathwaite was asked if he was part of the leadership group in the team, being the West Indies T20 captain.

“I’ve been speaking in team meetings, been speaking to the coach, to the captain, to the manager and I think the leader is natural. It’s something that happens. I see myself as one. I don’t know how the world sees it, but where I can share my knowledge. I try to lend my expertise wherever I can,” the 30-year old said. Since their defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad — fifth on the trot and sixth overall — some of the players, including under-fire skipper Karthik, went to Mumbai to re-energise and take some time off, according to the team management.

According to sources, the likes of Karthik and Robin Uthappa arrived late on the eve of the match. There have been talks about Karthik being under pressure as far as his captaincy is concerned despite the backing of head coach Jacques Kallis.

Brathwaite said they have not pressed the panic button yet, and the dressing room was still a healthy place to be in. “I don’t know if you had the privilege of watching us train. There were lots of smiles and fun. We even played football a couple of times.”

Brathwaite has played just one game so far in this IPL, against Delhi Capitals here, but could get a look in against the Royals. “I think as a professional player, you cannot allow results to alter your demeanour or your mindset. It’s still a healthy dressing room to be in and I enjoy coming to work,” Brathwaite said.

Since beating Royals in Jaipur, KKR have failed to win a single game out of their last five matches, languishing in the sixth place in the points table. Like Royals, they also need to win all the four remaining matchs in order to secure a berth in the playoffs. (IANS)

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