Manish Pandey, who scripted a memorable three-wicket win for Kolkata Knight Riders against Kings XI Punjab Sunday in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final, said he always enjoys batting in crunch situations.
"I'm very optimistic, and I love to play the crunch game. We got ten in the first over, and that was the time I thought, if we kept doing that, we'll get 200," said Man of the Match Pandey, who struck a brilliant 50-ball 94 as Knight Riders chased down the target of 200 with three balls to spare.
Pandey said the IPL trophy was the major domestic title that was missing from his cabinet.
"We have got four achievements, Ranji Trophy, Irani, (also Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy) cherry on the cake was the IPL," said Pandey, who plays for Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy.
Kings XI's Akshar Patel was adjudged as Emerging Player award winner.
"I'm very proud I've beaten so many domestic and international players to No. 1," Patel said.
Patel credited his success to bowling coach Joe Dawes.
"Our bowling coach Joe (Dawes) makes a lot of plans for different batsmen, and I've worked on those. I think I'm a batting all-rounder, but after this performance, maybe bowling all-rounder," he said.
