`My team needed this knock’

MUMBAI, NOV 16: Even Paras Mhambrey didn’t expect things to go his way as a batsman as it did at the Wankhede Stadium today. The 27-year-old had every reason to pleased as punch after hauling his team from the rut with a heroic 111. “I never expected this. I have alwyas taken my batting seriously and it was just a case of applying myself…things just happened for me,” he was to say later in the day. “I had gone out to accumulate runs. Overall, it was an important knock for the team. My team needed this knock more than me.”

Mhambrey had underlined his batting abilities a fortnight ago while posting 96 runs in a Times Shield match against an attack comprising Ajit Agarkar, Subroto Banerjee, Sriram Kannan and Sandeep Dahad. Drawing influence from the innings he played representing Elf Lubricants against Tatas, Mhambrey said: “Such innings give you confidence, which eventually make the difference in the end.”

Complimenting debutant Sriram Kannan for the admirable reslience he exhibited in his, Mhambrey said: “It was an excellent display. He gave me the confidence to go for the runs.”