'We lost to KKR in fielding and bowling'

New Delhi: Delhi Daredevils skipper Virender Sehwag on Monday blamed his bowlers and fielders for their six-wicket thrashing against Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. Electing to bat, Delhi batsmen failed to convert their starts, and Sehwag also felt his team's total was around 20-25 runs short in the end.

"We were short by 20-25 runs; we didn't capitalise on the middle overs. But 150-odd was not a bad total. Our fielding and bowling was not up to the mark. When you are giving boundary balls, it is difficult to set a field," Sehwag said after the match.

Asked if Shahbaz Nadeem was the right choice, Sehwag said: "We decided to give the spinner [Nadeem] a chance because Gautam [Gambhir] is batting well against the fast bowlers."

\"When you are giving boundary balls, it is difficult to set a field,\" Sehwag said after Delhi\'s loss.

Sehwag also praised the West Indies spinner Sunil Narine, who continued his good work and claimed two wickets on Monday. "[Narine] might not work against me. I could have smashed him, but it is difficult for others. It is difficult to pick him. He is good, young bowler. He is learning fast."

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gambhir also acknowledged Narine's contribution to his team. "What he has done for us is tremendous. He is a charged-up bowler. Sunil has been the pick of the bowlers but others have also done well," he said.

Man-of-the-Match Jacques Kallis said his team is trying to finish the league stage at the top of the table to qualify for the finals. "It has been a fantastic season for us. The captain [Gambhir] has had a fantastic season. Our wicket at [the Eden Gardens in] Kolkata does not have this sort of carry. It was good to deliver on this sort of a wicket. We are focussing on trying to end up first or second and get through to the final," he said.

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