The Kolkata Knight Riders' captain Gautam Gambhir said the match-winning innings of 93 he played against Royal Challengers Bangalore is a precursor to bigger innings to come.
“My best is yet to come. I don't want to be complacent, but obviously someone had to bat through. I have just been fortunate,” said Gambhir, who scored a 51-ball 93 for his second man-of-the-match this season.
Congratulating his part-time off-spinner Yusuf Pathan, who returned figures of one for 19 in his four overs, Gambhir said the player turned the match in favour of KKR with his thrifty bowling.
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“He did a great job with the ball, especially when he was bowling against Chris Gayle,” Gambhir said. Backing Pathan, who is yet to hit form with the bat, the KKR skipper said the player's confidence would get a boost from his fine bowling performance.
About his team's highest compilation of runs in the current season of the tournament, Gambhir said it was a collective effort. “I was hitting the ball well so it was important for me to stay till the end. But I don't want to take credit away from (Brendon) McCullum and Jacques (Kallis), who batted with lot of purpose,” Gambhir said.
Royal Challengers Bangalore's batting mainstay Chris Gayle said chasing 190 is always difficult on the surface Eden Gardens offered. “Chasing 190 is always difficult on this surface,” Gayle said after the match. “Especially after losing early wickets, which set us on the back foot,” he added.
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Gayle said his effort was meant for the team's cause. “I'm not going to focus on the Orange (cap). It is a secondary task. A win is more important for us and we hope to get in the upcoming matches,” Gayle said.