Kolkata, April 18 (IANS) Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji, who played a crucial role in the team's emphatic eight-wicket win over the Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens Sunday, said the team has left behind its string of poor performances in the previous three seasons of the Indian Premier League.

He said the new-look squad with several youngsters and a new captain is looking forward to a good performance in the coming days.

"I feel what is past is past. It has no relation with the future. We are new team with full of youngsters and a new captain. We are looking forward a good future," said Balaji in a post match media conference.

"We have struck rhythm but we have 10 more matches to go," he said.

The KKR performed miserably in the last three editions of the cash rich Indian Premier League, and they are the only team to have never made the semi finals of the tourney.

Balaji was at all praise for KKR bowling coach Wasim Akram and said that the all the players especially the youngsters will gain a lot under the former Pakistani pacer's able guidance.

"We all know how helpful it is to have him in the team. It's really an education to work with him and learn from him, especially in terms of attacking and coordination of ball which is very important for bowlers.

Definitely, the next generation of players who are coming up from here will gain a lot. I am sure lot of good bowlers will come up from here," said Balaji when asked to specify the role being played by Akram.

Balaji who picked up three wickets to help KKR bundle the Rajasthan Royals just for 81 marked Shane Watson's wicket as the best among the three scalps.