Mumbai, Apr 10: Delighted to open their Indian Premier League campaign on a winning note, new franchise Pune Warriors captain Yuvraj Singh lauded his bowlers for setting the platform for the comprehensive victory over Kings XI Punjab here today.
Chasing a modest 113 for victory, Pune overwhelmed the target in 13.1 overs to start their IPL campaign on a resounding note.“Nice to get a first win. Our bowlers picked up early wickets and set the momentum. It was a good toss to lose and we bowled wicket to wicket according to our plans. Happy that we got the results,” he said after the match.
“First two years when I was captain of Kings, I took too much pressure and got distracted on the field,' he added.He also praised Mithun Manhas who, coming into bat at number three, scored a 32-ball 35 in Pune's run-chase.
“Mithun, I always back him, unfortunate that he has not played for India, but he did well for us today,” Yuvraj said.His counterpart Adam Gilchrist was undoubtedly a disappointed man after having lost his first match as Kings XI skipper.“Poor all-round performance and it all started with my dismissal in the first over,” he said.
He had words of appreciation for Ryan McLaren, whose 43-ball 51-run unbeaten knock helped Kings XI surpassed the 100-run mark after having down at nine for four at one stage.
“Ryan McLaren and Chawla had a good partnership. McLaren was outstanding,” Gilchrist said.“If we had them five down for 70-odd, who knows. We didn't step up at all today but long tournament to go.”Man-of-the-match Shrikhant Wagh (3/16) admitted that he felt the pressure in his debut IPl match.
“I have been working hard but I was a bit nervous. DY Patil is good place to bowl on. There is good bounce in the wicket, Alfonso and Parnell, we bowled as a unit,” he said.PTI
