Batsmen did not deliver: Virendar Sehwag

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As the first chance to qualify for the IPL final slipped out of their hands, Delhi Daredevils skipper Virender Sehwag on Tuesday said the 163-run target was very much chase-able but the batting unit failed to fire against KKR in the Qualifier.

Delhi could manage just 144 for eight with all big guns failing to contribute much.

"We did not bat well, 160 was chase-able. The required batting effort was just not there. We lost two early wickets and failed to make it in the last few overs," Sehwag said.

Sehwag also defended selection when asked if presence of spinner Nadeem could have made some difference.

"Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav have bowled brilliantly for me. I cannot sit them out. It was a tough choice but we thought that the grass might help the pace bowlers," he said.

He promised to come back in the Qualifier 2, saying, "We have another chance to get there, we cannot relax, need to go all out."

Winning skipper Gautam Gambhir said they were confident of defending the total.

"We always felt that it was a 140-145 wicket, but when we got 160, we thought it was an above par score," he said.

Asked if Jaques Kallis' bowling along with his batting has proved crucial, Gambhir said each and every bowler has contributed in their good run so far.