Yuvi happy with momentum

Warriors successfully chased down a victory target of 149 on Wednesday, set by the Kochi Tuskers Kerela, to register their second consecutive win in the IPL and Yuvraj said he was happy with the momentum.

“A win is a win, hard way or easy. I will take it. Very happy with the momentum,” said Yuvraj after his side chased down Kochi’s 148 for eight with seven balls to spare but not before surviving some nervous moments.

He praised Mohnish Mishra for finishing the game for Pune his with an unbeaten 37 off 21 balls. “I tell him to bat at No 6, but he wants to open. His game is suited at No 6 and he will bat at that position,” said Yuvraj.

“After I got out, (Robin) Uthappa made a quick 25-30 runs and had a good partnership with Mohnish. Mohnish took the match to the end,” he added.

Yuvraj was also happy with the team’s bowling that had their rivals in trouble at 24 for four before Kochi fought back. “Our bowlers bowled well. We took four quick wickets in the last match too,” he said.

Yuvraj said the collision between Graeme Smith and Rahul Sharma was bad and the extent of injuries to both the players would be known in a day or two.

Mishra said though he was not accustomed to bat at No 6, Wednesday’s knock that fetched him the man of the match award has given him lot of confidence.

“First time I was batting at No 6. I had the captain’s confidence. We had played together in the Challenger Series. After this knock my confidence level has increased,” said the right-hander, who struck two fours and as many sixes.

Kochi captain Mahela Jayawardene understandably was a disappointed man. “In both the games we ran close, but it is not enough. We have to win the games. We have to regroup and come back well in the next game (against Mumbai Indians on April 15),” he said.