Chennai, May 28: Jubilant Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir on Sunday said that it was about completing a mission they had embarked upon when the tournament started 54 days back.
"There is only one word that comes to my mind. Mission accomplished. We had strong belief in our team. We knew when the big day will come the guys would deliver. I want to thank our fans back in Kolkata, who had stood by the team during tough situations. We have done it for them," Gambhir said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Asked about Manvinder Bisla's blinder of an innings, the skipper said, "Bisla today showed that what character is all about. I have always maintained that a captain is as good as his team. It's a successful team that makes a successful captain. When I selected Bisla, I knew that we had quality in our dressing room."
The skipper also didn't forget to mention the contribution of Laxmipathy Balaji who missed out due to injury.
"Bala has been the unsung hero of our team. One can't forget his contribution. When we left for the stadium, I told him that we wanted to do it for him."
Man of the match Bisla said, "I am feeling very happy that I played my part. I replaced Brendon who is a class player. His record speaks for himself. Due to Balaji's injury, we had to leave him out, I am lucky that I got a chance. Till the last ball, it did not feel like we had made it. I don't think I have hit as well, good to play this in the finals to help win it for my team."
Bisla said that there wasn't any specific plan chasing a stiff target.
"There was no plan, wanted to go out there to enjoy, after Gambhir got out, I felt a tad tensed but after getting one or two to the fence, I got the confidence. Kallis is a legend, batting along side him was a great opportunity, he asked me to keep it simple and get going."
CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni felt that the pitch became better for batting in the second session.
"I thought the ball started coming on slightly better in the second half. Bisla and Kallis got the partnerships KKR needed."
Dhoni didn't feel that 190 wasn't enough.
"Cricket is a game of plus ten and minus ten. It is always like that. Under the conditions, we batted well. It was a bit slower in the first innings. Batsmen did a good job. Not to forget, we could have looked for 200 and ended up with 170. Our bowlers were not getting reverse swing. Then it becomes easy for the fast bowlers to execute the wide yorkers. Still, I am happy with our performance," Dhoni said.
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