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I never expected the team to score more than 200: Vijay

May 26, 2012 13:29 IST

After guiding Chennai Super Kings to a comprehensive 86-run win over Delhi Daredevils with his majestic century, Murali Vijay said they are "geared up" to defend their IPL title against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Vijay became the only Indian batsman to score two IPL centuries when he hammered 113 runs against Delhi on Friday. He had scored a hundred in the 2010 edition also.

"Every team can beat the other on a given day. So we need to be wary and cannot take things lightly. The only thing I can tell you is that we are geared up for the match," Vijay said.

Vijay said he thoroughly enjoyed his knock but does not wish to compare it with any other effort.

Murali Vijay"I just went in and started striking the ball. I always go there with wanting to win the match. It's a great feeling to contribute for the team. I don't want to compare this knock with any other, but certainly I had to work hard for it.

"It was hot and humid and I had to take a lot of singles and doubles. I enjoyed the innings and I couldn't have asked for more," he said.

 Vijay said the key was to stay on the crease for long and take on the responsibility to finish the innings.

"In T20, every team wants to score as many as runs as possible and put the opposition under pressure. We were lucky. Everything went our way.

"After the first strategic time out, I thought it was getting slower. So I thought the new batsman would find it difficult. So I just carried on but never expected to score more than 200. It doesn't happen every day. It was just a one-off day and we were very lucky," he said.

KKR spinner Sunil Narine has put up a terrific show so far but Vijay said it was difficult to make a plan for him.

"Planning won't work against him. You have to watch the ball and play it accordingly. I want to keep it simple."

Asked about Morne Morkel's absence, he said, "Obviously, I can't comment on that. That's their decision. Of course, he is a fantastic bowler."

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