Sanjay Bangar is as calm as Gary, says Sehwag

Riding high on a blazing 58-ball 122 from Virender Sehwag, Kings XI Punjab set up a summit IPL clash with Kolkata Knight Riders.

The blazing opener compared coach Sanjay Bangar to former India coach Gary Kirsten, who was in charge when the team triumphed in the 2011 World Cup.

"Our coach Sanjay Bangar did a fantastic job. He motivated everybody. If you compare Sanjay Bangar with Gary Kirsten, he is equally good. He is as calm as Gary," Sehwag said.

Sehwag said his one big knock was due for a long time, "My one innings was due but when it would come I didn't know. If it came at a good time like the playoffs, you know if you don't play well you would be out of the tournament. My conscious effort was that I play well and give a good performance and try to help my team win," he said.

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"The performance came after a long time. Everybody was expecting when I was out of the team, everybody was hoping I would score hundred and double hundred in first class cricket but that didn't happen. When your time is not good, you can't do anything. I was doing everything right but I was not able to score runs. Today was maybe my day and I just told myself Chennai should pay for my day," he added.

The Delhi player said he wants to work on his technique.

"My technique is not that great so I have to correct it. I have to believe in myself and go out there and give my 100 per cent. If I click then the other team has to pay and if I don't click then our team has to pay."

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Sehwag had word of caution for the hard-hitting Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell that he should also focus on playing Test cricket.

"I told him that Test cricket is the best cricket. If he wants to make his name, then he has to play Test cricket. He is very keen and he will go back score runs in domestic cricket or in international cricket whenever he gets a chance," he said.

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On the other hand, Kings XI Punjab skipper George Bailey admitted that there were anxious moments when Chennai Super Kings' Suresh Raina was batting.

Raina played a blinder and scored a 25-ball 87 that contained 12 fours and six sixes.

"I thought it was chaseable. There are not many teams that you score against 230 and 227 and you come off and know you still have to bowl really well and field really well. Chennai are that good a side that no score is ever enough, you know they are always going to come hard.

"The way Suresh was batting, if he kept going, then you just have to take your head off and say well batted. We saw two extraordinary innings really," Bailey said.

On making it to the final, the Australian T20 captain said, "I am very happy. It's been a terrific season. I am really proud of the way the guys have played right throughout the tournament, particularly tonight. We were in a little bit of trouble but the belief that was being shown within the group, the positive chat within the group was outstanding. Hopefully we have got one more game in us. "

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The Tasmanian lavished praise on left-arm spinner Akshar Patel, who picked up a wicket while giving away 23 runs.

"He is a mini Buddha. He is 20 years old and it is like he is 45 years old. He is very calm. He is a pleasure to play with and he works really hard.  You have just seen his responsibility grown as the tournament has gone. To start with we tried to bowl him in suitable times and he did that really well.

"He is now our go to bowler. He is bowling later and later. He is bowling to the key batsmen in the opposition team. We were really thrilled the other night; despite the loss (against Kolkata Knight Riders) he was picked for the Bangladesh tour, which was fantastic. Really proud for him," he said.