IPL II has been phenomenal experience: Gilchrist

JOHANNESBURG: Fortunes fluctuated but it was Deccan Chargers who held their nerves and defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by six runs to win the DLF Indian Premier League 2009 at the Wanderers on Sunday.

Ecstatic captain Adam Gilchrist said that it was phenomenal on the part of his players as nobody gave them the chance to reach so far after the eighth placed finish last year. “It’s has been a phenomenal experience. Nobody gave us a chance to reach so far but we did it,” he said. “From being at the bottom of the table last year to being at the top is a journey well traversed. 

“I am proud of my boys who rallied throughout this tournament to win this title. It has been outstanding for us,” said Gilchrist, adding that the match could have gone either way today but Deccan Chargers came out on top by holding their nerves.

Gilchrist, who won the Player of the Series award said, Royal Challengers were brilliant throughout the tournament. “I guess they also felt the same disappointment last year as we did. That I think propelled us to go for the kill. Today Pragyan Ojha bowled an astonishing spell. His took crucial wickets at the right time and it helped building up the pressure. Gibbs was good and it was nice to see young Harmeet Singh vibrant on the field. He bowled well and he took a fantastic catch. It’s amazing to see these youngsters perform at such level.”

Anil Kumble, disappointed after coming so close to the victory, said that though they lost the match, he was proud of his boys who gave everything on the field. “We came so close but could not get it. Two weeks ago when we lost to Mumbai Indians, nobody gave us a chance to win all the five games. However, we managed to do it and reach so far,” he said.

“Though I am disappointed not to have won the final, I am nevertheless proud of what we have achieved this season. Both, Royal Challengers and Deccan Chargers were at the bottom of the table last year but we are the finalists this time. It’s incredible on part of the players,” said Kumble, adding that loss of Rahul Dravid, Ross Taylor and Virat Kohli took the match away from them.

Kumble, who bagged the man-of-the-match award for his astonishing figures of four for 16, said that he had backed himself up to bowl the first over as restricting Gilchrist was very important. “Getting Gilchrist in the first over itself was great. I backed myself up to bowl the first over and succeeded in my plan. Though my ploy worked against the Decaan Chargers during our bowling, we failed with our bat. It’s disappointing but the team have done exceptionally well and kudos to the players. But everything apart, all the credit to Deccan Chargers,” said Kumble.

It was also a great IPL for RP Singh as he won the Purple Cap for taking the most wickets this season. “I am enjoying the stardom and the award,” he said. “My performance in the IPL has helped me get a place in the Indian T20 squad and I could not have asked for more. I bowled in the right areas and that did the trick for me. 

“My captain and my coach had been of great help throughout the tournament,” said RP Singh, adding that he too loved this place as it was here that they had won the inaugural ICC World Twenty20. Today I wanted to bowl as many yorkers but changed my mind later. I am very happy and proud of my Purple Cap as my wickets have helped my team win the title. And today I bowled the crucial overs, so it makes it more special,” he said.

Rohit Sharma was doubly happy as apart from his team winning the trophy, he also bagged the best Under-23 player’s award. “It does feel good. More so when we have won the trophy. When I came to know that IPL has been shifted to South Africa, I was very happy about it because we had done very well here in the T20 World Cup. When the tournament started, the wickets weren’t easy. But with the progress of the event, it became slower and slower and I love batting in these kind of wickets. I just kept my basics right and I got the rewards,” he said.