Kolkata Knight Riders debutant Chris Lynn says he was a 'nervous starter'
Queenslander Chris Lynn made an impressive all-round debut for Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Sharjah. His catch of AB de Villiers was a game-changer.
In awe of Jacques Kallis with whom he shared a match-winning partnership, Kolkata Knight Riders' Australian batsman Chris Lynn said it was an unbelievable experience to bat alongside the South African legend.
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Lynn starred with a 31-ball 45 before taking a blinder of a catch to help KKR win by two runs in a thrilling contest against Royal Challengers Bangalore here on Thursday.(Match highlights)
"It is an unbelievable experience to bat with Jacques Kallis. He is so relaxed at the crease and so unaffected by pressure. He was calm and composed throughout the partnership. He is one of the greatest players and it is pretty cool to see how he goes about his batting," the 24-year-old Lynn told IPL's official website. (Lynn's catch was brilliant: Gambhir)
"To get to bat with Kallis and to get to face Muralitharan is an experience I won't forget. You look back at these moments, not now, but when you retire, and you realise how fun it is," he added.
Asked about the stunning catch he took to dismiss AB de Villiers and seal the win for KKR, Lynn said he managed to grab a difficult chance.
"I felt it was a well connected shot and it was a tough catch to take at that moment. I would have taken it comfortably had I stayed on my feet, I slipped a bit, but I clutched on to it at the last moment. I tried my best not to touch the boundary ropes and I am happy I could catch that one," he said.
On whether KKR were confident of defending a rather modest total of 150, Lynn said the team was edgy to start with.
"We were not so confident with 150 and we were thinking along the lines of 180. But the ball got softer and the wicket slowed up, which worked in our favour. Sunil Narine and Vinay Kumar took the pace off the ball. I think the boys did a marvellous job to defend that total," he said.
Lynn said he himself was quite nervous when he walked out to bat in the match.
"I was pretty nervous this morning when I got told I was playing. I was also nervous when I walked out to bat, but once I got off the mark, the pressure was released," he said.