Pune, May 23: As the first chance to qualify for the IPL final slipped out of their hands, Delhi Daredevils skipper Virender Sehwag on Tuesday said the 163-run target was very much chase-able but the batting unit failed to fire against KKR in the Qualifier.
 Delhi could manage just 144 for eight with all big guns failing to contribute much. “We did not bat well, 160 was chase-able. The required batting effort was just not there. We lost two early wickets and failed to make it in the last few overs,” Sehwag said.
 Sehwag also defended selection when asked if presence of spinner Nadeem could have made some difference.
 “Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav have bowled brilliantly for me. I cannot sit them out. It was a tough choice but we thought that the grass might help the pace bowlers,” he said.
 He promised to back in the Qualifier 2, saying,”We have another chance to get there, we cannot relax, need to go all out.”
 Winning skipper Gautam Gambhir said they were confident of defending the total.
 “We always felt that it was a 140-145 wicket, but when we got 160, we thought it was an above par score,” he said.
 Asked if Jaques Kallis’ bowling along with his batting has proved crucial, Gambhir said each and every bowler has contributed in their good run so far. 
 “Not only about Kallis, all of them have bowled have bowled very well, lot of credit to all the bowlers including Balaji, Abdulla, Narine and others,” Gambhir said.
 Paceman Laxmipati Balai had looked in some discomfort during the match but Gambhir said he will recover in time before Sunday’s final.
 “We have four days for Balaji to recover from the injury.”
 Yusuf Pathan, who smashed a brilliant 21-ball 40 to help side reach a good total, said he was pleased to have lived up to the expectations of the team.
 Yusuf had a poor run before this match and had coped a lot of criticism.
 “There are always big hopes from me. I had not performed well in the previous games, but I know that I can get going in a big match,” he said after receiving man-of-the-match award.
 Yusuf said having enough overs to settle on the pitch helped him get his touch back.
 “I had a lot of time to get in and adjust myself to the track today. Now We are waiting for the big game. We will relax and await for it eagerly,” he said.
 KKR bowling consultant Wasim Akram said Gambhir’s leadership has made a huge impact on team’s fortunes this season.
 “I am happy to be associated with KKR. It’s a great bunch of boys, love to stick around with each other. Long story what’s changed from the first four years, but to cut it short, its all because of a very good captain and an enthusiastic owner,” the Pakistani bowling legend said.
 Akram was happy that the team strategy worked today. “We read the wicket well, we played four spinners, they played only one, had they got in another spinner or two, it could have gotten lot closer,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 23 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 23 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00:00 IST