Gautam Gambhir: We should have won all the games we lost

Gautam Gambhir

Perhaps nothing hurts more than coming close to winning a match and then letting it slip out of your hands. It was an enthralling match between KKR and RR on Tuesday in which both teams managed to tie the match only to tie the Super Over later. However, RR managed to win the Super Over as they had a better boundary count.

“Very disappointed being on the losing side. We deserve to be in a better position. All the games that we have lost were from positions where we could have won,” Gambhir said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

After a discouraging batting performance in the last few matches, Gambhir managed to score a 44-ball 45 runs against Rajasthan Royals in UAE on Tuesday. “It was important (his returning to form). Someone has to try and be positive upfront, that is my job, that has been my job last three years. Hopefully from here on, I can be more aggressive at the top.” he said.

The pitch conditions will change as the teams will be returning to India for the next leg of the tournament. “We keep talking about the wicket in Kolkata, (but) we have an attack suited for most conditions.” Gambhir commented on the Eden Garden pitch.

On the other hand, James Faulkner was elated to have played a major role for his team in the victory. “I am going to sleep well tonight and I am sure the rest of the squad is going to as well. In all seriousness, this is my first Super Over, I have watched a few in T20 cricket before. I got hit for a pretty big six in that last over. It has been a bit of a slow journey since I have had surgery.” he said.

RR captain, Shane Watson was also pleased with his team’s performance. “To be able to come out on top of such a game is a nice feeling for us. I was just going to run as fast as I could. Steve Smith is calm under pressure. We just needed two. He is a very skilled young fellow.” he said.

On Faulker’s incredible performance, Shane added, “It is great to have Jimmy back in form. He is a very key component of our team like he was last year. If you are on the wrong side of this (match), it can be disappointing as well.”

Apart from Watson, Smith also praised Faulkner for his outstanding display of bowling. “Chasing 12 in a Super Over is quite a tough task. Just happy to get there. Jimmy (Faulkner) bowled an unbelievable over. The way we finished was amazing. Narine is a quality bowler. We knew it was going to be tough. Watto said he was going to bowl flat and short. He got one away to the boundary. My job was to hit the gaps and take twos.”