We want to win all home matches to make it to semis: Whatmore

Aware that his side will have to come up with an improved performance in the second half of the Indian Premier League, Kolkata Knight Riders coach Dav Whatmore on Wednesday said they were looking forward to win five out of five home matches to make the semi-final grade.

KKR have won three out of seven matches with one victory from two matches at the Eden Gardens and Whatmore said his side would look to win all their remaining home games.

"We are looking forward to get back to winning ways and it is very important. We won in Mohali and got a bit of momentum but then unfortunately lost to Delhi which was a step backward. We have some home matches coming up and we are looking forward to win five out of five," he told reporters ahead of KKR's match against Deccan Chargers on Thursday.

"We try to be as positive as we can, regardless of what stages of the matches. But certainly the intent is to be as positive as we can," he added.

Whatmore refused to comment on team composition when asked about chances of local player Laxmi Ratan Shukla replacing a struggling Mandeep Singh in Thursday's match.

"It's very difficult to say about the team right now. Conditions and opposition change with every game. These things are not done just for the sake of it but to get the best possible combination on that particular day," he said.

Asked whether Sri Lankan Ajantha Mendis would play on Thursday, Whatmore replied, "Mendis along with others will be considered"

Whatmore did not agree that captain Sourav Ganguly was struggling in the Twenty20 format and cited former India captain's 40-ball 50 against Kings XI Punjab.

"He (Ganguly) has got some runs. He has done okay. It was just in the last match he along with few others could not make it count. But certainly we are keen to have a good start like every other teams." Whatmore said.

He also felt that he has got a team which can win whether batting first or chasing a target.

"We won one game chasing. But chasing can be sometimes a little bit tricky with the extra pressure of losing wickets. Yes, we have talked about it. We feel that we have got the team to come up whether we bat first or second," he said.

With three wins and as many losses, Deccan Chargers are lying fifth with six points in the league table. Kolkata also got six points from three wins and four losses.