Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Anil Kumble feels that Feroz Shah Kotla wicket was not ideal one for Twenty20 cricket and said toss always plays an important role in such cases.
"Toss is always crucial on this wicket. It plays a big role in deciding the match and so I feel, perhaps, it is not an ideal wicket for the Twenty20," Kumble told reporters after their 37-run defeat at the hands of Delhi Daredevils here on Sunday.
His Daredevils counterpart Gautam Gambhir also agreed to Kumble that 180 plus was always a difficult chase on this wicket.
"It is always a difficult job to chase anything above 180 on this track. We have been lucky to score 180 plus in both the matches that we have played against them and also lucky to have won the toss on this track," he said.
Incidentally, Kumble loss the toss today as Gambhir opted to bat first in the Indian Premier League match.
Asked if he deliberately instructed his bowlers to take the pace off the ball, Gambhir said, "On such a track it is important to take the pace off the ball. In Mohali you can hit the deck hard but not here."
Meanwhile, Kumble felt that they conceded 20-25 runs extra which proved costly at the end.
"150-160 was gettable here but we gave away 20-25 runs extra. Chasing 185 was too much on this pitch," he said.
"We didn't play well and there are some areas where we have to concentrate and hopefully we will come good in the next matches," he added.
Asked why Manish Pandey was not played, Kumble said, "We had to play an additional spinner on this track and so we had to leave him out but we had Cameron White who is in great form."
Kumble said they have to make some changes in their batting order to make sure they don't falter during run-chase in the coming matches.
"We have not chased well in a few games and I feel these are the areas where we have to work. We have to relocate and reshuffle the order. Ross (Taylor) can't do the job always, may be we have to sent Rahul Dravid upfront," he said.
Kumble said now they have to re-group themselves and be consistent in the next outings.
"Today's win could have helped us but now we have to re-group ourselves. We have five games coming up and we have to play well to secure our semifinal berth. We have to be consistent in both the innings," he said.
Meanwhile, Gambhir said that they capitalised on the home advantage fully.
"Probably winning the toss (gave advantage) but we have played a lot of cricket here and we know the conditions well," he said.
Gambhir said Daniel Vettori's inclusion will bolster the side as he will lend his vast experience.
"Vettori is a world class bowler, especially in tough conditions. He gives the side experience. Also he gives depth in bowling as well as batting," he said.
The left-handed batsman also hoped that their pace spearhead Ashish Nehra will play in the next match. "Ashish should be fit for the next match."
Gambhir also praised Paul Collingwood saying he is such a player who can change gears very well.
"He is a kind of player who can hit sixes and also build innings. He also gives that additional option of bowling," he said.
Collingwood cracked a breezy 46-ball 75 which was instrumental in Sunday's win.
Kotla wicket not ideal for T20: Kumble
Advertisement