Kolkata fans have yet to come to terms with the fact that their home IPL team could be without Sourav Ganguly.

On the eve of Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) first home match sans Dada, against Deccan Chargers, a group of 30-odd fans demonstrated at the Eden Gardens, protesting the omission of their hero from the squad.

"No Dada, no KKR," the fans shouted as the players entered the stadium for practice yesterday.

Former India captain Ganguly went unsold in the player auction held in January this year. For the fans of 'Prince of Kolkata', it's a reality they could not accept.

"We can't imagine that KKR could be playing at the Eden with Sourav Ganguly," one of the agitators told MiD DAY.

It is learnt that Sourav Ganguly fan club members would be staging a protest on the match day as well.
KKR failed to make an impact in the previous three editions of the IPL despite the presence of Ganguly.

With World Cup-winner Gautam Gambhir as captain, they kicked off the fourth season of the T20 league with a loss to Chennai Super Kings in the opener in Chennai on Friday.

Coach Dav Whatmore denied the absence of Ganguly would add to the pressure the team was facing already.

"Not really. We have a number of great players in the squad. They are skilful and competitive. We are more than happy to have them," he said.