JOIN US"The last two knocks Paul has played can go on par with most great innings in T20 cricket and that's been obviously pleasing for us and extremely pleasing for him (Paul Valthaty)," Gilchrist told reporters after the eight-wicket win over Deccan Chargers here last night.
"He (Paul Valthaty) worked hard in our camp in the pre-tournament practice matches. The most important feature of Paul has been his calmness and his ability to handle the interest that is suddenly coming to his way," he said of the player who smashed a blistering 75-run knock besides taking four wickets for his second successive man of the match award.
"There's a long tournament to go and other teams (in IPL) are watching him in interest and probably planning already (against him). But, for the moment, things are going on very well for him because he has handled it with calmness," Gilchrist added.
Gilchrist praised his bowlers to restrict the Deccan Chargers for the score of 165.
"The bowlers did well to restrict them (Chargers) to that total (165)," he said.
Speaking to reporters on his knock, Valthaty said "Batting with Gilly (Adam Gilchrist) is obviously inspirational. He has been one of my heroes when I started playing cricket and Gilly always tells me to watch the ball hard. In Twenty20 cricket, I feel it is very important to bat with a clear mind."
Losing team Deccan Chargers' coach Darren Lehmann praised Gilchrist and Valthaty.
"We bowled a bit short and wide and they (KXIP openers) took full advantage of it and I think that was the game right there. 166 on such a bowling track would have been enough or we could have got 180, but, I think we were short by 10-15 runs," he said.