Despite losing their final qualifier against Somerset by 11 runs, Kolkata Knight Riders still managed to make it to the 10-team main tournament as the third highest ranked side in the six-team qualifying round on better net run rate.
"To be brutally honest, it was a poor performance. We fielded poorly, didn't bat well. We need to improve our performance," Kallis said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
"We are happy to qualify but still have some areas to work on. It was tight in the end," he added. The veteran South African all-rounder picked Holland's most experienced batsman Ryan ten Doeschate for special praise. Chasing a victory target of 167, Doeschate (46) waged a lone battle to help Kolkata reach their qualification target of 153 runs.
"Ryan played an exceptional innings to get us through. When we lost a couple of wickets up front, we realised we didn't need to be heroes," he said. Asked about regular skipper Gautam Gambhir's chances of playing in the main round of Champions League, Kallis said, "It looks like Gautam Gambhir will be ready. He is a world-class player and everyone in the team is waiting for his return."
Gambhir suffered a concussion during the fourth Test against England last month. It ruled him out of the rest of the tour and also cast a shadow on his participation in the CLT20.
Somerset captain Alfonso Thomas said they would look to replicate the success of qualifiers in the main round of CLT20.
"Guys did a great job for us. We want to replicate the success of qualifiers in the main event. We are waiting on the likes of Jos Butler and Craig Kiewstter to boost our side."
Man-of-the-match Somerset opener Peter Trego, who contributed both with the bat and the ball, said, "Feeling very proud. Been playing for Somerset for some time but this, one of the proudest nights of my career with them. We had nothing to lose as outsiders, so we can give it our all."
