Johannesburg: Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni felt they were some 15-20 runs short after going down to Royal Challengers Bangalore by six wickets in the second semi-final of the Indian Premier League, here on Saturday.

After a good start provided by Parthiv Patel and Mathew Hayden, Chennai could not carry on the momentum and managed just 146. In reply, Bangalore knocked off the runs with seven balls to spare.

"We were looking at around 160. We were some 15-20 runs short," said Dhoni at the post-match ceremony.

The India skipper felt the slowness of the pitch also affected their batting while admitting his bowlers didn't do a good job either.

His counterpart, former India captain Anil Kumble said the boys were excited about tomorrow where they take on Deccan Chargers in the final.

"One more win tomorrow, that's what the team should desire," said Kumble.

The leg-spinner gave credit to youngster Manish Pandey and Rahul Dravid for scripting the win and also lauded his bowlers for restricting Chennai to within 150.

"Manish and Rahul took the game away. The bowlers also did a good job in the last five overs," he added.

Man-of-the-match Pandey, who hit a century in the last match against Deccan, said the idea was not to give away wickets easily.

"The pitch was stopping a bit but the idea was not to throw away the wicket," said the 19-year-old. Royal Challengers owner Vijay Mallya was ecstatic after his team's progress to the final.

Last year they had finished second from the bottom but consistent performance this season have lifted them to within one match of the title.

"Everyone had written us off but it is good to be in the final," said Mallya, whose Force India team made it to Q2 for the first time today.

"Yeah, it's been a good day for me," admitted Mallya, who has put off celebrations till tomorrow.