In trouble Kings XI Punjab can be party pooper: Whatmore

They may be struggling for a win and are virtually out of semi-final race but Kings XI Punjab can spoil others' party and Kolkata Knight Riders must not be complacent, said coach Dav Whatmore.

"It's fair to say that Kings XI are struggling in terms of the results. But the teams who face them will be wary that they are due for a victory as well.

"You must not take them lightly and must not be complacent. On paper, they are a good side like everyone else. Yes, they can be a party-pooper," Whatmore told reporters on the eve of their IPL match against Kings XI Punjab.

Describing under-fire Yuvraj Singh as a fine T20 batsman, Whatmore said, "There is no doubt about his ability as a T20 batsman. We just hope to continue get him out cheap."

Knights have got a boost by the joining of Brendon McCullum and the coach hinted that the explosive Kiwi opener might come in place of either Chris Gayle or David Hussey.

"Personally speaking, he (McCullum) is an opening batsman. He got a hundred against Australia in T20. He will be discussed as to where he can be slotted. Who is another opener? I don't think he is going to replace Angelo (Mathews), who is allrounder. Probably (David) Hussey or Chris (Gayle).

But Whatmore brought in an air of confusion saying Gayle was not out of form. "No, he is a terrific player. He is a matchwinner. You don't expect a matchwinner to perform always. They come up with one or two efforts and win the game.

Whatmore hinted that the team has an injury concern to one of the main players but refused to divulge. "We have one... but not quite sure. It's not the time to tell you."

But he cleared Hussey, who had a stomach bug yesterday. "Hussey is alright, he is good as you saw him today."

The Australian coach said they have to make up for four losses by winning the remainder of matches, home and away.

Asked whether he sees controversy-ridden Kings XI Punjab in a similar position like that of KKR last season, the 1996 World Cup winning Sri Lankan coach said: "I don't know about the problems of the teams, that's really not my area. but certainly, the win-loss ratio was not good last season."