Will try to remove Stokes early, says KKR s Grandhomme

Kolkata May 2 (IANS) Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will look to bowl to areas in which Rising Pune Supergiant s all-rounder Ben Stokes is not strong KKR s Colin de Grandhomme said on the eve of their Indian Premier League (IPL) match here on Wednesday.

England all-rounder Stokes hit a whirlwind 63-ball 103 to help Pune recover from 10/3 and go on to win by six wickets against Gujarat Lions on Monday.

KKR on the other hand are coming into this game on the back of a 48-run revsersal their biggest so far this season against Sunrisers Hyderabad courtesy David Warner s 59-ball 126 blitzkreig.

I think we just got to execute our plans and hit our areas and try bowl to areas where he is not as strong and hopefully get him out early 30-year-old New Zealander Colin de Grandhomme told reporters on Wednesday.

Asked whether KKR s lower order is an area of concern going ahead the Harare-born Grandhomme who bats at No.7 generally for the men in purple said: I think the more opportunity the lower order gets the better they will get. The batsmen have been doing their job which is a good thing.

On a personal level Grandhomme said playing in the IPL has been a great experience.

It is the biggest competition in the world. It is a big thing to be playing the IPL against the best players in the world it is a big thing he said.

You definitely learn a lot under best coaches best players you obviously learn a lot he added.

KKR are second on the points table with 14 points from 10 games while Pune are fourth having collected 12 points from their 10 outings.

--IANS
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