Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne said on Saturday that it was team spirit that was helping the defending champions win close matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
A depleted Royals have won three of the seven matches they have played in the Twenty20 league. Barring the five-wicket win over Delhi Daredevils, the wins against Kolkata Knight Riders and Saturday's three-wicket win here at the St George's against table-toppers Deccan Chargers have been close.
Against Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals won through the Super Over after the match ended in a tie while against Deccan Chargers they scampered home with just two balls left.
"The batting hasn't been good in the first six overs. But it is the team spirit that is winning matches for us. From last year to this IPL our team spirit has been excellent," said Warne.
Warne lauded his boys for showing incredible courage to pull off close matches. "We are peaking at the right time and hopefully will make the semi-finals," he said.
Asked why he promoted himself up the batting order, Warne said: "Our top order is not batting well. So I wanted Yusuf (Pathan) to come later on in the innings and finish off things. He is a good finisher and a clean hitter of the ball."
Pathan hit a 14-ball 24 and picked up one for 19 to pick up the Man of the Match award.
"It was a good wicket to bat on and the ball was coming on nicely and made stroke playing easy," he said.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
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