Have to focus on present than think too far ahead: Gambhir

Kolkata Knight Riders may have won 12 games in a row, but skipper Gautam Gambhir would like his boys to remain focussed on doing well in every match without thinking too much about the end result in the Oppo Champions league T20 here today.

"There's still a long way to go. We still have a (group league) game against Dolphins. There is semi-final after that. As I said, a good team is one that does not too much of what lies ahead. It is important for us that we play every game with full strength and try to win," Gambhir told the reporters at the post-match conference.

"A champion side is one that does not look too ahead. They should look at the present. I think that is what our team has done. Because, if we would not have done that, we would not have a such a great run.

"For me, a champion side is one, which stays in the present and focus on each and every game," he told reporters in the post-match press conference after KKR's three-wicket win over Perth Scorchers.

KKR, defending champions of IPl this year, is having a dream run having won all the matches it has played so far in the ClT20 tournament.

Replying to a query, he said most of the wins of KKR have been close with the team members turning around difficult situations.

"Most of the wins have been very close. But then this what the character of the team is. There was a situation in the past when we could not have finished such kind of games. But, this team has come a long way. From this kind of situation, if we can end our winning game, it shows the character of the team," Gambhir said.

Gambhir was all praise for young Suryakumar Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav whose brilliance led the team to win.

"Absolutely, unbelievable knock. I have not seen something like this. Especially, so much fearlessness, going in and with that kind of situation. I think he is a player for the future. Unbelievable player," skipper lavished praise.

Gambhir went on to the extent of saying that he hasn't seen too many cricketers like Surya in India.

"I have not seen many cricketers like him (Surya) in India at the moment, so fearless and so unorthodox as well. Kuldeep  Yadav is special talent as well. We were waiting for right time to introduce him. Because you really need to be careful.

"When you introduce a young bowler, how much confidence you need to give him. Because, they can easily lose their confidence. So, we were just waiting for this kind of an opportunity and he has grabbed it the opportunity with both hands," he said.

Replying to a query, Gambhir said the team as a unit is responsible for success and not just captain alone.

"If me given a responsibility to go out there and lead KKR, I have tried doing it to the best of my ability. I have tried doing it with utmost honesty. That is my job. That is it. For me, a captain anywhere in the world is only as good as the team," he said.

Gambhir said that his team has proved the critics wrong that and have proved that they can play on any ground.

"People used to keep talking about that we are only good at home. We are showing to the entire country that we are not only good at home and we have done well in all centres, whether it is in Bangalore, Kolkata or anywhere else. You don't become champions that also twice just playing well at home."

"This shows the character of the team, this shows the quality of the team as well. We don't talk about too much surface and all that. This shows that we are prepared to play any kind of wicket. For me, this wicket is a very good wicket," said Gambhir.