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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Chris Gayle is batting like a dream: Kohli

Chris Gayle is batting like a dream: Kohli

Source: PTI
May 12, 2011 09:56 IST
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They have jumped to the second spot in the points table with sixth consecutive win but the Royal Challengers Bangalore's stand-in skipper Virat Kohli is not ready to take their place in the IPL play-offs for granted. 

Top four teams will compete in the play-offs to earn a place in the summit clash. 

Kohli led Bangalore in the absence of injured regular skipper Daniel Vettori against Rajasthan Royals tonight and came out victorious. 

Kohli scored 39 not out and Chris Gayle unbeaten 70 to script a comprehensive nine-wicket win over the hosts. 

"We are not thinking of anything, just playing one game at a time, taking some plans in the middle and hopefully we can execute them," Kohli said when asked if they think they have sealed a berth in the play-offs.

Kohli expressed gratitude for senior players in the side for guiding him as it was for the first time that he was leading the side and also became the youngest IPL captain at the age of 22. 

"Dan wasn't fit so they asked me to captain the side. I was pretty keen so I said yes right away. I wanted some of the senior players to contribute because they are experiences international players. Zak (Zaheer Khan), AB (de villiers) and (Tillakaratne) Dilshan," he said.

Kohli also acknowledged the crucial role being played by Gayle in his side's dominating run. 

"Batting with Chris is the best and most dangerous seat in the house. Chris is batting like a dream and he is just pulling games off for us every time," he said. 

Before splendid batting by Bangalore top-order, left-arm paceman Srinath Aravind took three wickets to help his side restrict Rajasthan to 146 for six. 

Aravind was adjudged man of the match and the overwhelmed bowler termed it the biggest day of his life. 

"I would like to thank and congratulate all my trainers and my team-mates. I made mistakes in the first over and the second over but I came back well. This is my biggest day," he said.

Shane Warne was obviously not happy to bid adieu to his home ground in the IPL on losing note. 

"It's been great fun to play here for four seasons, It's been very enjoyable. Disappointing to finish off like that. We were 20 runs short and dropped a few catches," he said.

The Australian spin legend is hoping to go on a high as they still have two away games to play. 

"We've promoted a lot of young guys throughout India. It's been fantastic to impart some of my knowledge onto some of these guys, some have listened, some haven't. We'll play for a bit of pride in the next couple of games," he said.

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