Dwayne Bravo celebrates with Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina.
© BCCI
Chennai: A brilliant last over by Dwayne Bravo helped Chennai Super Kings pull off a sensational two-run win over Kolkata Knight riders in their IPL match, and the all-rounder said he likes pressure situations as it brings the best out of him.(Match Report | Scorecard | Highlights)
"We did not bat well tonight. It is good to defend a small total and we proved ourselves despite not doing well with the bat. We have got good fast bowlers and spinners in our team. Obviously, MS (Dhoni) and the entire team looked upto me to finish off the game and that is the way I prepare myself.(Gambhir Slams Batsmen)
"These situations get the best out of me. I always keep my composure as I like these moments. There are few people in the world who actually cope with pressure," said Bravo at the post-match press conference last night.(Dhoni All Praise for Team's Fielding)
Defending a modest target of 135, Bravo was given the ball in the final over with KKR requiring 17 runs to win. He bowled the first three balls without conceding a run, and that enabled the Super Kings to eke out a narrow win.('Wanted to do Something Special With the Ball')
CSK were restricted to 134 for six but Bravo said more than his team's batsmen faltering, it was KKR bowlers who did a good job.
"There was no weakness and there were times when fast bowlers were doing well, we have got 200 runs and above. There are no weaknesses. Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum are best players in the world against short balls. We have to give credit to KKR bowlers.
"I suppose we exposed them as well. It goes both ways. We are a humble team having very good players and respect each other. We did not blow out to post big total but it is important that we won the game," said Bravo.
Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Brad Hogg, who came up with a brilliant spell after replacing Sunil Naraine in the team, said the team was disappointed with the absence of the mystery spinner.
There is uncertainty over Naraine's availability as the report of the bio-mechanical tests, which he underwent at the BCCI accredited testing facility, is still awaited.
"All I can say is feeling sorry for Sunil. I think it is disappointing that he has gone away. All of a sudden he has been put on the spot again. It is one of those, as a cricketer, I am not happy with the situation that Sunil and we are in at the moment. He has got a wonderful skill."
At 44, Hogg became the oldest cricketer to play in the IPL and the Australian bowler said he was enjoying his cricket at the moment.
"As far as my role, at the end of the day at my age, I am enjoying my cricket. Very lucky that I have been picked up in the IPL tournament. Had a couple of years here already and to be playing for different franchise and experiencing different parts of India is fantastic. It is no different to any other team that got great bunch of players," he said.
Hogg admitted it was disappointing to lose a close game.
"It is disappointing always to lose such close contests. But at the end of the day, we have to go back and believe in our skills. Everyone has got skills. Everyone talks about form. I am not a believer in form. It is all mental and it is always up there here (in the mind). We have got another five top games in 10 days. I think we just got to believe that our skills are good enough," insisted the Australian.
"It takes a couple of shots for a batsman to turn around and likewise a couple of wickets for a bowler."
On his team not scoring a single boundary between seventh and 17th over, Hogg said, "I think we required 78 runs off 80 balls and we really dug for ourselves. We sort of discussed that. The opposition was dictating the scoreboard for us to slow down. We are going to go out in the next game and play the way we want to play.
"If we win we win, if we lose we lose. That is the nature of the game. You back your potentials and you play better than the opposition, more times than not you win matches."
Hogg was all praise for the Chidambaram stadium pitch.
"The pitch was pretty good. It assisted all. Had a bit of pace and swing and also held up little bit for the spinner. So everyone played a part in the game. Full credit to the curator. I thought, batsmen too had chances to make runs and bowlers had chances of getting wickets. It is one of those nice part of contest," said Hogg.
