Chris Gayle, despite playing a match-winning knock of 82 against Mumbai feels his team's bowlers are the real heroes.
He played a crucial part in his team's comprehensive nine-wicket win with a blazing 82-run knock, but Royal Challengers Bangalore opener Chris Gayle credited his team's bowlers for setting up the crushing nine-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians.
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Chris Gayle smashed 82* off 58 balls. Photo: AFP
"It was a very good wicket to bat on (when we batted) to be honest with you. First of all I must say it was a very good toss to win. The new ball tends to do a lot here. Credit must go to our bowlers who utilised the conditions brilliantly."u00a0
"I would actually say our bowlers won this match for us. To restrict such a good batting line up in the first six overs and also get key wickets was a tremendous effort," said the left-handed West Indian power-hitter.
RCB bowlers Zaheer Khan (L) and Muttiah Muralitharan. Photo: AFP
Gayle struck six towering sixes and five fours while notching his fourth 80-plus score in the tournament and sixth half-century.
RCB paceman R Vinay Kumar bowled a devastating first spell to reduce Mumbai to two for two by sending back opener James Franklin and Rohit Sharma in his opening over.
The former Windies skipper, who got the Orange Cap for becoming the leading run-getter (515 from 11 games) in the tournament, said they knew Lasith Malinga was the danger man for them and their plan was not to let him do the damage. "When we batted, it was good to bat on. Only the new ball did a bit. It was key that we didn't let them in early by losing early wickets. Myself and Dilshan played that part very well, but unfortunately we lost Dilshan and then captain (Kohli) came in and we finished it off," he said.
"We know what Malinga is capable of. He was actually our toughest hurdle and looking to pick up early wickets. Our plan was not to let him do so. We knew what was actually coming at us. He is one of the best T20 bowlers in the world. Credit has to be given where it is due. We played him out well. We stuck to our plans and finished it off well," said the 32-year-old.
He said luck was with him when fellow-West Indian Dwayne Smith dropped a skier off a leading edge at point off Rudra Pratap Singh when he was 21 in the sixth over "He does not drop many catches. That was a surprise. Ball went high it was a tough one even though he is a tremendous fielder. These things do happen. It was unfortunate for him and good luck for me. I was very happy he dropped it."
Gayle said the victory was achieved in a crucial game but what was more important was that RCB continue in the same vein to get into the four-team play-offs.
"Yeah it's a good feeling to achieve it but what was more important was actually winning the game. It was difficult position for us but two wins on the trot is actually good for us and hopefully we can continue in the same form in the next couple of games.
"But we need to be consistent. This is history now and we move on to the next game in Pune and hopefully continue that winning vein and give us that chance to have a shot at that trophy," he signed off.
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