Thaindian News

Kolkata, May 23 (IANS) Though visibly elated after an improbable last ball win over Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar cautioned his teammates that they need to be prepared for a tough battle in the Indian Premier League play off between the two sides in Mumbai as the city franchisee would come back hard.

After a five wicket victory over the Knight Riders, Tendulkar was all praise for James Franklin and Ambati Rayudu and the other batsmen.

“It was a great match. The crowd here is great and they made the atmosphere special and that’s why the result.”

“We batted really well. Kept up the run rate that was needed. Great work by Rayudu and Franklin,” he said.

Tendulkar said the duo got the momentum going and that proved crucial. “You can lose the momentum but it is important to regain it. We got the momentum going.”

Needing 66 from the last five overs, Mumbai Indians batsmen James Franklin (45 not out off 23 balls) and Ambati Rayudu (17 off six balls) fired on all cylinders to win the match off the last ball.

The visitors needed as many as 21 off the last over bowled by Laxmipathy Balaji, but Franklin hit four boundaries off the first four deliveries, before Rayudu sealed the game with a six off the ultimate ball.

On if he thought Mumbai Indians could win, Tendulakr said: “Anything is possible in this game. If you have the luck the edges go to the boundary. Franklin hit some good shots in the final over.”

He also said the team management’s decision to send Harbhajan Singh worked for the side as the turbanator scored some important runs.

On meeting Kolkata Knight Riders in the playoff he said: “Knowing KKR, they will come back hard, they are a good side and we are prepared for them.”