Delhi Daredevils chose to bat first against Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday but failed to post a big total and lost the game, their third consecutive loss in the IPl at their home ground.
Wayne Parnell, who was the only successful bowler for Daredevils in this match, said batting first was the wrong decision as defending a total on a 'relatively small' Ferozeshah Kotla is very difficult.
Asked why Daredevils chose to bat first, Parnell said: "I don't know. You need to ask Gary (Kirsten). But what I believe is that batting second is easier on this wicket because it is very difficult to defend here."
With just two wins from eight games, Daredevils will certainly find it hard to make the play-offs while Kolkata snapped its four-match losing streak, KKR all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan exuded confidence that his side would make it to the play-offs while admitting that the road ahead would be "challenging".
"It was good to return among wins. Hopefully, we will kick off from here. We know it won't be easy but we are up for the challenge," the Bangladesh all-rounder said after the team's emphatic win at the Feroze Shah Kotla ground here.
"Obviously the play-offs are possible. We will try till the last game. With the squad we have we know we are capable of reaching the play-offs. "In T20 cricket you will win some and lose some. But we know we are tough enough to make the turnaround," he added.
Shakib was full of praise for his skipper and said a good score from Gambhir has always played a key role in KKR's success. "He (Gambhir) has been terrific for KKR in the last three seasons. It is important for the team that he scores. He is someone who works very hard at the nets. He is the first to go to the nets and the last to return," said Shakib.