'Rusty' middle-order a worry for Whatmore

KOLKATA: Dav Whatmore admitted on Thursday that the middle-order remains Kolkata Knight Riders' Achilles Heel. Addressing a news conference on the eve of KKR's match against the visiting Royal Challengers Bangalore, Whatmore said it is unrealistic to expect the likes of Jacques Kallis and Gautam Gambhir scoring a half-century in every match. "We have had a little team meeting after last night'sdefeat," Whatmore said, adding: "It's when Gambhir and Kallis don't fire thatthe middle-order has to take that extra responsibility. With the top-order beingin brilliant form so far, they haven't had much of a chance and are perhaps alittle rusty." Whatmore eked out a positive from Wednesday's lossagainst Kochi Tuskers. "It's never nice to lose. But a loss alsogives us a good opportunity to reassess, analyse and rectify the mistakes. Wehave involved the entire team in the process and we are very keen to bounceback." Whatmore said there is a question mark over Yusuf Pathan'sfitness, but the all-rounder is keen to take the field against RCB on Friday.Pathan was injured while fielding against Kochi and batted lower down the order."He's being assessed. He was there at the nets and appeared okay. Weare hopeful that he will play tomorrow." Whatmore ducked the bouncer when asked whether West Indies opener Chris Gayle, who has been drafted into the RCB line-up as replacement for Dirk Nannes, will have a point to prove against his former team. "Well... not just us, but nine other franchiseesalso didn't pick him," referring to the fact that the West Indian went unsold atthe auction. "But it's wonderful that he has found a way back andwill play in the IPL again." On KKR losing two close matches whichcould have gone either way, Whatmore said: "We could have paced our chase alittle differently on both occasion perhaps... But I am not worried yet."The KKR coach dismissed apprehensions on the pitch. "Wedidn't lose on Wednesday because of the pitch. We lost because we didn't playwell. We have no problems with the pitch."