Delhi played better cricket: Gambhir

Kolkata: After being comprehensively beaten in their opening Indian Premier League (IPL) fixture, Kolkata Knight Riders' skipper Gautam Gambhir on Thursday praised Delhi Daredevils by saying they played better cricket.

"After starting off badly, we did play better to set a target of 98. However, Delhi played better and were the deserving winners. These things are not in your hand. Of course, we too would have chosen to chase had we won the toss", Gambhir said at the post match conference.

Gambhir also had words of praise for local boys Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Debabrata Das who played well to take the Kolkata to a respectable total. "In spite of being 34 for 4 we posted a challenging total. Shukla and Das both played well enough. They have been batting well in the nets and they are surely the players to watch out for," said Gambhir.

Gambhir also had words of praise for local boys Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Debabrata Das who played well.

He also hoped South African pacer Merchant de Lange, who gave 36 runs in his 3 overs, will come good in the later matches. Meanwhile, Irfan Pathan, who top scored in the match with a quick fire 42, said that he is expecting to come good with the ball too in the coming matches of the tournament. "I am now looking forward to take more and more wickets with the ball," he said.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)