Mahela praises debutant Parameswaran

Kochi Tuskers Kerala skipper Mahela Jayawardene on Monday lavished praise on Prashanth Parameswaran after his team's seven-wicket win over Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, saying the debutant pacer was not nervous despite playing in his first match.

Parameswaran picked up two wickets, including the important one of Virender Sehwag, to put his team on the right track at the Feroze Shah Kotla in New Delhi.

"A brilliant effort from the debutant, Parameswaran. He bent his back and bowled well. He was a debutant but didn't let his nerves show, Jayawardene said after the match.

"He has been bowling well in the nets and, once we saw the wicket here, we thought let him have a go," he added.

Despite a sluggish start to the league, the stylish Sri Lankan always believed in his team's ability.

"We always knew we had the talent, we just needed to believe in ourselves. We found it difficult to adapt to the tracks in Kochi but on this, we batted brilliantly."

Asked about his run out, Jayawardene said, "I thought the umpire was going to give me out, so I was late in getting back to the crease."

Delhi skipper Sehwag felt 140 was a difficult total to defend on this track.

"This wicket was good to bat on and the way I started I thought 170-180 was a good total here. It's very difficult to defend 140 on this track," he said.

On the Kochi boy who hogged the limelight with a superb show on debut, Sehwag said, "I heard the name of Parameshwaran and asked who he was. I was told that he is a new bowler from Kochi.

He recovered well after that six (Sehwag hit him for a six first up) and took the wicket. He is a good find for Kochi and for India also."

Man of the match Parameswaran said even though he was for a six by Sehwag, he was confident of a strong comeback.

"I am very happy, and I thank God and my family for supporting me. Even though he hit me for a six, I was confident that I could take his wicket," Parameswaran said.