Shah Rukh tracking Knight Riders progress

Undaunted by the Kolkata Knight Riders' poor show in the first two editions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), franchise owner and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is in constant touch with the team as it strives to force a comeback in the coming season of the cash-rich league under a new coach.

"We have been in constant touch with Shah Rukh Khan. There have been regular inputs from Shah Rukh," the side's new Australian coach Dav Whatmore told mediapersons after a two-day camp at the Eden Gardens here.

With Whatmore keeping a close watch, most of the outstation Indian players of the Knight Riders went through their paces at the conditioning camp.

"The camp has been fruitful. I am trying to change the fortunes of the team this season," Whatmore said.

Asked about his interaction with skipper Sourav Ganguly, Whatmore said: "Sourav is a great player. He has made a good contribution to the game."

The next camp will start on January 9.

Whatmore, a former coach of the Sri Lanka and Bangladesh national teams, has replaced John Buchanan as the Knight Riders coach.