TNPL 2016: Dindigul Dragons capitalized on our woeful batting, says Kaalai’s Khan

Karaikudi Kaalai’s Shoaib Md Khan addressed the media after his team’s seven-wicket loss against Dindigul Dragons at the NPR College Ground, Natham, on Sunday, in the India Cements TN Premier League. Excerpts from the transcript:

Where do you think the team lost the plot?

On this wicket, a score of 120 is not enough. Our big-guns should have fired, especially the top order. But that didn’t happen and that is where we lost.

Was Badrinath’s slow-paced knock the reason for the low run-target?

Not exactly, as he being the most experienced player has the role of anchoring the innings. When he went it, it wasn’t an ideal situation as we had lost early wickets, so he had to take a little bit of time to settle down. Later on, he could have fired, but every day can’t be his day.

Dragons’ bowling or your team’s batting; what was the defining factor?

We actually batted poorly and were not up to the mark. Also, the last three victories came because of a collective effort in all departments. Yes, they did bowl well, but only in patches. It was more of our mistake because we took risks when they were bowling well.

On winning the toss and opting to bat first

In any format of cricket, batting first is always easy. Our strength has always been fielding, and bowling, that is where we have been winning matches. Even when we have scored less, our bowling has won us games. We won all three matches when we batted first and that was our strategy in this game as well. But unfortunately it didn’t work out.