Gilchrist criticises Kotla for offering six-hitting contest

KXIP lost their Indian Premier League clash against Delhi Daredevils by 29 runs and Gilchrist said the batting-friendly wicket and short boundaries made the match a six-hitting contest.

"We scored more than 200 but still fell short by 29 runs. It was a lovely batting track obviously with a short boundary but I must say it turned out to be a six hitting competition and the skill of the game probably lost somewhat," Gilchrist said at the post-match press conference.

"It entertains the crowd and obviously there is skill involved in hitting a six. But it loses the skill part in the game somewhat. It could have been something in between, even out between the bat and ball.

"Let's not mistake it was not a seam friendly wicket though the ball moved a bit early and Morne Morkel bowled a beautiful opening spell," he said.

Gilchrist said had the second wicket partnership between himself and Shaun Marsh gone on for another four or five overs, the result could have been different.

"That was our macro partnership. David Hussey also got a big six but could not get going. He was not given space by James Hopes who bowled beautifully. Had my partnership with Marsh continued for four-five overs nobody knows the result could have been different," he said.

"It was not because of one person we lost the match. We were not sharp enough on the filed and with the ball.

"There was heavy dew at the ground and that had been a factor. The Delhi opening partnership was fantastic and Sehwag and Warner had taken the game out of us," said the Australian.

Delhi Daredevils opening batsman David Warner, however, praised the curators for producing a very good pitch with lost of runs.

"Just a few days ago, our coach Greg Shipperd threw down the ball at the main pitch and did not bounce up the sheen level. But today it was very good pitch with bounce and carry. It was a good job by the curators," said warner who was named man of the match.
He said if he and Sehwag can bat like they did today in the first six overs, his side would go on winning matches.

"Sehwag does not want to be left behind his partner. When he gets going he is such a dangerous batsman. If we bat in the first six overs like this in other remaining matches, we will keep on winning.

"But we still have room for improvement in our bowling and even fielding," he said