Perform or perish: Gambhir warns nonperforming players

Livid with his team's below-par showing in the ongoing Pepsi Indian Premier League, Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir has warned his nonperforming players to either perform or perish.

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders are presently languishing at the seventh place in the nine-team competition after losing four out of the six matches they played in the tournament so far.

"Playing as defending champions itself is the biggest motivation. Otherwise you should be sitting at home and watch others play," Gambhir said on the eve of Kolkata's crucial match against Mumbai Indians at the Eden Gardens here tomorrow.

"Wearing a KKR jersey itself is the biggest motivation. There are many more in the dressing room who are dying to wear the jersey," he said taking a dig at KKR's nonperforming players.

The Knight Riders had slipped from a positive start to be restricted to a paltry 119 for nine against Chennai Super Kings, who registered a comfortable four-wicket win, the second defeat in a row for the defending champions.

But Gambhir backed his side and said the scenario could change quickly in the T20 format.

"(Winning and losing) It's just part and parcel. Things can change very quickly. One good innings, one or two good strokes can turn the things around. We are pretty united and playing for each other," he said.

"We just want to go out there, play positive cricket and get results in our favour. Lot of people might have said about processes and all but I believe in results.