Having failed to defend huge totals twice within 10 days in their own backyard, Kolkata Knight Riders face the pressing task of dispelling doubt. If the last-ball loss to table-toppers Rajasthan Royals was heart-breaking, Friday’s record run chase by no-hopers Punjab Kings would have shaken belief.

“We see the positive side; three results may have gone against us but the team are playing superb cricket,” KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit said on the eve of Monday’s match against Delhi Capitals. Saying that they are in a confident mind-space, he added: “It’s [actually] easy to motivate them.”