IPL 9: Fun dressing room is helping Delhi play well this year, says Brathwaite

Delhi Daredevils’ big-hitting West Indian Carlos Brathwaite hails camaraderie among squad members both on and off the pitch as hosts dislodge Kolkata Knight Riders from No 2 spot in IPL-9 points table with 27-run win at Kotla

New Delhi: With Delhi Daredevils surprising one and all with their consistent show in IPL-9, West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite yesterday said that a “fun dressing room” is helping them play well this year.

Delhi Daredevils' Carlos Brathwaite (left) breaks into a jig with teammates to celebrate the dismissal of KKR's Sunil Narine in Delhi on Saturday

Brathwaite made a good comeback to the side after missing two games, scoring a crucial 34 off 11 balls and taking three wickets as Delhi displaced Kolkata Knight Riders from the No 2 spot with a comfortable 27-run win in their IPL-9 match here.
“I won’t talk about the past since I was not there, but this year there’s lot of stress on processes and solid preparation. It’s a fun dressing room. The players are good friends off the field and that unites them on the field under pressure,” the West Indian said.

Daredevils' Karun Nair hits a six en route to his 50-ball 68 against Kolkata Knight at Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi on Saturday

The Daredevils overcame the loss of two wickets in the first over to post a challenging 186 for eight after being invited to bat and skittled out the visitors for 159 with nine balls to spare at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

Thanks to fighting half-centuries by Nair (68 off 50 balls) and Billings (54 off 34 balls) and Brathwaite’s (34 off 11) finishing touch, the Daredevils registered their best total against KKR. It was first defeat for KKR in this tournament while chasing as except opener Robin Uthappa (72 off 52) no other batsman showed any resistance.

KKR's Rajagopal Sathish walks back to the pavilion. Pics/AFP

Brathwaite takes three
Brathwaite also took three wickets when Daredevils bowled as the West Indian broke the KKR middle order.

Brathwaite stressed that he was not dropped from the side in previous games.

“It’s horses for courses. Imran Tahir didn’t play today but it’s not that he was dropped. I was not dropped. Only four foreign players can play, but still, the one who is missing out gives the same support to the team.”

Brathwaite also said that Feroz Shah Kotla track’s changed nature suited his batting style. “The pitch was true, but Karun Nair and Sam Billings allowed me to bat where I wanted to bat. They laid the foundation,” he said of their 105-run stand for the fourth wicket which helped them post 186-8 after being 32-3 in 5 overs.

The big-hitting West indian also said that he does not put himself under pressure and it’s not possible to get big shots everytime he comes to the crease. “It does not happen everyday,” he said when reminded of his breathtaking 10-ball 34 that helped West Indies win the ICC World Twenty20 earlier this year

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