CLT20: Trinidad & Tobago skipper Denesh Ramdin credits bowlers for win over CSK
Sunil Narine's brilliant effort with the ball could not be ignored as his spell of 12 for none in four overs tied the Chennai batsmen in knots, especially the destructive skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Trinidad and Tobago skipper Denesh Ramdin was a visibly happy man after his side entered the semi-final of the Champions League and credited the bowlers, especially mystery spinner Sunil Narine, for scripting the eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings here.
Riding on Lendl Simmons' 41-ball 63 and Rayad Emrit's three for 21, T&T overhauled the 118-run victory target with 29 balls to spare at the Feroze Shah Kotla stadium last night.
T&T not only topped the Group but also marched into the semi-finals where they will meet Mumbai Indians on Saturday at the same venue.
However, Narine's brilliant effort with the ball could not be ignored as his spell of 12 for none in four overs tied the Chennai batsmen in knots, especially the destructive skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"We tried to hold back Narine for best batters of Chennai. We all know how destructive Dhoni can be on bowlers. He is such a destructive batsman and when he is going, it's difficult to stop him. We kept Narine to bowl more at him and Dhoni did not take many chances against him," Ramdin said at the post-match press conference.
"Dhoni did not get a chance to score against him and he helped in building pressure on Chennai. We knew there was a 60:40 per cent chance that he will go after the other bowlers," he added.
Dhoni made a run-a-ball 25 studded with two fours.
Ramdin said his bowlers adapted well to the conditions and the wicket of Michael Hussey proved to be crucial.
"We adapted well to it. I am happy with the performance of my bowlers. It was important to get a good start. Ravi Rampaul got Hussey out early into the innings which was an important wicket for us. We won the toss which was also important. We had a chance to know what to do like they set a target and we need to overhaul it in 17.4 overs. We planned out well and did it," he said.
Talking about their high-voltage semi-final clash against Mumbai, Ramdin said he expects his spinners to come good.
"We are happy to play Mumbai Indians. They are a very good side. I hope spinners will give us a chance against them," he said.