Gayle smashes Punjab

A player can dominate a match. As Sehwag proved, Gayle also proved. A blistering hundred and that was curtains for Punjab.

Gilchrist hailed Gayle's knock as phenomenal.

"That was a phenomenal knock. The wicket was doing a bit and he did not get bat on ball for 10 balls. Then he took the game away from us. We were shell-shocked actually"
said Gilchrist after the match, praising Gayle's 107.

Gayle smashed nine sixes and ten fours in his 49 ball knock and Gilchrist said his side was chasing more than 230, when Gayle was going strong.

"It is a small ground, there were a few mishits from Gayle that carried over. We pulled back a little bit. It looked like they would get 230-240, but it was all too much for us" .

"He (Gayle) came back to take lazy three wickets. He has brought a good change for his team. We play again in two days, have got to try and fire up again" said the Aussie.

Vettori was delighted that his side had entertained the crowd with a brilliant batting display.

"Almost the perfect T20 game. It was amazing to score a hundred (by Gayle) in that fashion. The wicket was not an easy one to bat on" said Vettori.

"The big thing for us was our fielding. If we do that, everything falls in place. Gilchrist''s run-out first ball made it easier for us. Aravind has been a really good find for us" the NZer said.

Gayle confessed that he is unpredictable.

"Things will happen when I am out there. I am unpredictable and got to try and enjoy the IPL It was difficult wicket, the ball was doing a lot for a couple of overs. It was a good team effort, Virat (Kohli) came in and supported me.

"The key actually is to pick your areas. It is not all about slogging, you have to target particular bowlers. I wanted to bat through the end but it did not happen. AB de Villiers got us past 200" said Gayle who also shone with the ball, taking three wickets.

Punjab could only score 120/9 in reply. Gayle had finished them psychologically, being an impact player. Gilchirst was out for a blob and only Valthaty, Harris and Karthik could get double figures, in reply to the formidable KKR score of 205/6.