Delhi Darevils opener Quinton de Kock, who scored the first century of the ninth edition of Indian Premier League, said that 192 against RCB was always a gettable target on a good batting track like the one at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
“We were confident of chasing 192 because it was gettable on a batting track like this and to achieve that we focused on saving wickets till the end trying to capitalize by accelerating in last overs,” De Kock told reporters during the post-match press conference.
Replying to a question, De Kock said after losing two wickets for 50 runs on board, the game plan of his and Karun Nair’s was to keep the scoreboard ticking by hitting into the gaps and getting a few odd-boundaries because it was a good batting track and fast outfield.
“We (him and Karun) knew the boundaries are going to come because it is such a good batting wicket and quick outfield. We focused on ticking the scoreboard regularly by hitting into the gaps, and we just carried out playing on like that and got away. So that is all about it,” he said.
De Kock also said he wouldn’t rate this century as the best but he thoroughly enjoyed it specially chasing down the target of almost 200-run mark.
“I enjoyed this innings thoroughly. I wouldn’t say it is up there, but enjoyed it especially chasing down the total like that,” he said.
Replying to a query, De Kock said he prefers to play more Tests.
Asked what was running in the team’s mind when Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers stitched 107 runs for second wicket, De Kock said they just hoped one of them throws the wicket away.
He further said, “We always knew they are going to get good start, and we talked about getting at least one of the top four out to pull it back. That is what we talked about and came up with a plan. It worked, if not they would have come on and on and on at you,” he said.
