IPL 6: The pressure is on Sunrisers Hyderabad, says Virat Kohli after victory over Chennai
Bangalore captain Virat Kohli said he would call-up Kolkata skipper Gautam Gambhir on Sunday morning and tell him to beat the Sunrisers in their crucial tie.
In a rain-affected game at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, Bangalore beat Chennai by 24 runs to keep their playoff hopes alive. Bangalore will be keenly watching the result of Sunday's game between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, knowing that a win for Kolkata will propel them in to the eliminator, an opposite result though will knock them out.
Points Table | Scorecard | Schedule | Stats
After a 3-hour rain delay, the match was reduced to 8 overs-a-side. Being put in to bat, Bangalore amassed 106/2 with Virat Kohli smashing 56 off 29 deliveries after opening the batting.
"It was nice to have a game after the rain delay. I'm really pleased with the effort shown by the boys today," said Kohli after collecting his Man of the Match award.
"We had to win to stay alive in the tournament and we did. Now the pressure is on the Sunrisers Hyderabad," he added. Also read: Crucial BCCI meet today
Sunrisers play Kolkata in the last game of the IPL league stages this season. "I will probably call Gautam (Gambhir) on Sunday morning and ask him to skipper KKR to victory," added Kohli with a smile.
Bangalore restricted the fabled Chennai batting line-up to 82/6 in 8 overs with Zaheer Khan picking 4/17 in 2 overs. "I'm extremely happy with my performance. In Twenty20 cricket you have to take wickets and I am happy that I did that tonight," said Zaheer after the match. Sleepless nights, no baths for Sreesanth
"But even though we posted a big total, you can never take anything for granted with MS Dhoni at the crease. He is a world class batsman but it was a good performance by us today," he added. Sreesanth's laptop, iPad seized by Mumbai Police
Zaheer was playing just his 2nd match this season after recovering from injury. "I'm a fighter! Throughout my career I have bounced back from injury and will do the same again."