Buchanan insists dented image doesn't torture him

KKR coach John Buchanan tells MiD DAY that his IPL blow is a learning experience

Defeats are coming in a flood for Kolkata Knight Riders. And John Buchanan's platform as coach is getting weaker. Yesterday, KKR suffered their second defeat to Mumbai in a week.

Yet, Australia's 2003 and 2007 World Cup-winning coach still seems calm amidst
choppy waters.

Excerpts from an interview:

Your team finished at the bottom of the pool in the first leg. How do you explain it?
It has been disappointing, no doubt. In each game, we have done a few good things, but not enough to get results. We are looking at each game to improve our performance from the last. We are well and truly the underdogs. Every team will expect to beat us given yesterday's results.

Would you accept some of the blame for KKR's dismal show?
As director of cricket, the way things are going, sure, certainly the buck sort of stops with me in that regard. If things are not going well then it's my responsibility and if things are going well, it's my responsibility too.

Where is the team falling short?
Well in this game, we need to control the first six overs with both bat and ball and we are not doing either of it, so it puts you behind right from the word go. In other words, if you lose two or more wickets when you are batting or not take two wickets in the first six overs when you are bowling then you are struggling to catch up in this game and we haven't done that except in one game.

Personally, how much of a failure this is for you?
I don't look at it that way. I look at it as a learning experience. Obviously, we are learning in terms of managing a group of people where things are not going well, learning things about a 20-over tournament, learning things about playing in South Africa. There are all those things being thrown at us.

There are reports that Shah Rukh is selling off his stake in the team...
Well, I have heard about it. I can only say it is all nonsense.

How has Shah Rukh Khan reacted to you?
He's been extremely supportive all the way along, as have been the other owners, Jay Mehta and Juhi Chawla. We couldn't wish for any better support.

John Buchanan's image has taken a beating. Does that torture you?
No! As I said, it's about trying to learn whether you are actually 'successful' meaning you are getting results or what people generally consider to be unsuccessful when you don't have results going your way. It is disappointing there is no doubt about that. We would have liked to have more wins. But, at the same stage, it is an opportunity to learn.

Do you feel the axe hanging over your head?
I never entered into this (job) with any false impressions that if things were not going well then the owners or the employers will not dismiss you. At the same stage, we talked about trying to build something for the long-term, that is still very much part of my general brief. Still, I live in the present so you got to try and do the best you can.

Ganguly promised a lot initially, but has not got going. Your views?
It's not just one individual. McCullum, Gayle, Hodge and Sourav are our top four batters.u00a0 Controlling the first six overs is very important, even in batting and in bowling, and we haven't done that. It's not about one individual.

How do explain captain Brendon McCullum's sudden loss of form?
It is not loss of form. He just hasn't got any scores at the moment.