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XtraTime Web Desk: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Dinesh Karthik on Thursday said he and his team would like to dedicate the IPL trophy (if it is being held this year) to the people affected by Cyclone Amphan in the state of West Bengal.

According to Karthik, "We are definitely emotionally very attached to Kolkata. They are really proud of us. The state has gone through a lot in the last couple of months. So I think winning the IPL, is the least we can do for the state," Karthik, said on the sidelines of the launch of KKR's Sahayata Vahan (van) initiative, which will help distribute essential kits to people affected from COVID-19 and the cyclone across mutiple locations in the state.

The wicket-keeper batsman said dealing with the uncertainty of not knowing when he would play next made him feel disoriented during the COVID-19 enforced lockdown.

"In the lockdown, initially, I was happy to train, I was happy to be at home doing stuff, but it got (extended) 2, then 3 and 4 weeks, I was kind of disoriented. I don't know when my next cricket game is, what am I training for, it was boring at times," Karthik said on Star Sports' show 'Cricket Connected'.

Karthik said the proposed ban on saliva when cricket resumes post COVID-19 will be a massive challenge for the bowlers in the longest format.

"Oh, yes, definitely (it will be a big challenge). I think in ODIs and Twenty20, it won't make much of a difference but definitely in Tests, it's going to be a massive challenge.

"It will be tough especially for the bowlers, because when the ball is new for the first 20-30 overs, in most grounds in the world, I think conventional swing is what they look for. And if you don't apply saliva, it's going to be a tough ask for them to swing the ball," he said.

Karthik reiterated it will take at least four weeks for player to reach match fitness and one must not rush into training.

"I think it will take at least 4 weeks, specially for the fast-bowlers because they are coming off a very quite time, to go and start bowling 140-150 clicks through the day, at different points of the day when the heat will vary, it's going to be a good challenge for them, a massive challenge for them," he added.