Gambhir lauds bowlers as KKR cruise into IPL final – Cricket News Update
The Kolkata Knight Riders' skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Symonds-c44611 Sahara Stadium,
Pune, on Tuesday.
Defending a respectable total of 162 for 4, the Kolkata bowlers delivered a clinical performance keeping the star-studded Delhi batting line-up in check right from the start of their chase, eventually restricting them to 144 for 8 in their allotted
quota of 20 overs.
Gambhir, who took over as skipper last season after playing first three editions of the lucrative league for his hometown franchise Delhi Daredevils, credited the bowlers for the 18-run win over http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Sehwag-c2739 and company.
“...all of them have bowled very well, lot of credit to all the bowlers including Balaji, Abdulla, Narine and others," said Gambhir at the post-match presentation ceremony.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sunil-Philip-Narine-c91869 shared two wickets apiece while rest of the four bowlers claimed one wicket each.
Kolkata’s spearhead pace bowler, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lakshmipathy-Balaji-c72130, was seen battling some niggles last night, but the skipper was hopeful he will be fit in time to lead the attack in Sunday’s grand finale.
Earlier, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/YK-Pathan-c2815, who had a poor run before Tuesday’s Qualifier against DD, led Kolkata’s scoring, smashing a blatant knock of 40 runs from just 21 balls to steer the side to a par total of 162 for 4.
Pleased with Pathan’s return to form, Gambhir said that he had always backed the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Baroda-c769 batsman to fire at right time and he was proven right last night.
“I was also asked why do I persist with Yusuf Pathan. I have always said that he is a magical player and that he will come good when it would matter the most. I was proved right today,” said Gambhir, himself a hard-hitting left-handed opener.
Pathan, who was adjudged as the Man of the Match, said that he was pleased to have lived up to the hopes of skipper and team management.
"There are always big hopes from me. I had not performed well in the previous games, but I know that I can get going in a big match," said Yusuf after the match.
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