Indian Premier League: Expected Kevin Pietersen to Target me, Says Pravin Tambe

The couple of wickets he took proved crucial in Rajasthan Royals' thumping win over Delhi Daredevils and leg-spinner Pravin Tambe said it feels good to come out trumps against the likes of Kevin Pietersen after enticing them to target him. (Scorecard | Highlights | Schedule | Points Table)

Tambe's crucial wickets of Pietersen and Quinton de Kock helped RR restrict the hosts to 152 for five -- a target which his team overhauled in 18.3 overs after losing just three wickets.

"His (Pietersen's) wicket was very important because he is a big player and everyone knows that. And if he stays at the wicket, he can turn things around for his team. We knew that he would target at least one bowler," Tambe told IPL's official website.

"I was the only spinner, so I thought he would target me. I knew the areas that I had to bowl in, and I bowled according to the plan and got his wicket," he said.

Asked to elaborate on 'the right areas he tries to bowl in, Tambe said it is all about inviting the batsman to hit him. "T20 is a game where even a small mistake will cost you. So I try and see that I don't let the batsman swing the bat. If he tries to hit, then I would get his wicket. So I try to cramp the batsman; I try and work on that area.

"So when I pitched it in the right area and Pietersen tried to hit me, I got the wicket as he mistimed it and was caught near the ropes at long-on," he explained.

Speaking about his dismissal of de Kock, Tambe said his strategy wasn't any different. "I wanted to bowl stump-to-stump and I knew that he would take his chances. He had been at the wicket for a long time and I knew that there was a good possibility that he would get out if he took the chance (by going after me)."