Kolkata: Quite happy with his team's performance against Kings XI Punjab who they beat comprehesively by six wickets at Eden Gardens on Friday, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gauatm Gambhir said that it was a fantastic effort from their bowlers and later Jacques Kallis, Manvinder Bisla and Eoin Morgan contributed brilliantlly with the bat.

“I think it was a fantastic effort from our bowlers to restrict them to 149. The way Kallis, Bisla and Morgan played was good. I always think in this format you need clear thinking. You cannot go into your shell and that's what happened,” said Gambhir, adding that it was frustating to see L Balaji not executing what we had planned in the meeting.

“Sometimes things happen in the heat of the moment. But then we can take a lot of positives from this game and go into the next one,” said Gambhir at the post-match presentation.

Kallis, who was declared Man of the Match for his brilliant 37 off 33 balls and for his figures of 2 for 14 in 4 overs, said that the knee injury was frustration. “I was really disappointed because I couldn't bowl in the last match. We played some good cricket along the way, but luck didn't go our way. However, we were lucky tonight and we played a lot better. Our hard work paid off. We have learnt to adapt to the conditions here and how to vary your length on this track. I am thoroughly enjoying my bowling and hope to contribute to the team's cause," Kallis said.

Meanwhile Adam Gilchrist that it was a good score to defend. “It was a good score and the pitch played well. It wasn't turning too much but was a competitive score. Couple of danger-men got out, but Bisla took control, Jacques stabilised it and Morgan played really well. Our bowlers have done a good job till tonight and the young guys are developing well including Gurkeerat and Manan,” said Gilly.

BY ISN