Somerset captain Justin Langer credited his team's thrilling victory over the Deccan Chargers down to the Sabres' character and camaraderie.

The Chargers' opening batsmen VVS Laxman (46) and Adam Gilchrist had blazed away at the start, but Somerset's bowlers hit back to restrict the Chargers to 153 for nine.

Somerset began their chase badly with RP Singh claiming three top-order wickets in quick succession, while spinners Pragyan Ojha and Tirumalasetti Suman kept the pressure on with a brace apiece.

From 50 for one, Somerset crumbled to 99 for seven before James Hildreth (25) and Alfonso Thomas, with 30 not out from 17 deliveries, turned the game on its head with a 50-run stand for the eighth wicket.

Slight drizzle had dampened the outfield and complicated the Chargers' task, and their problem was compounded when strike bowler Fidel Edwards was removed from the attack for bowling a second beamer of the innings.

Somerset still needed only five from the last over, but Scott Styris provided another twist by removing Hildreth and Max Waller in the first three balls.

Stay updated with all the on-field and off-field action from the world of cricket

Thomas, however, held his nerve and hit two boundaries - the second off the final ball - to clinch victory for his team.

"It's a great thrill for most of our guys to play in front of a crowd like this and a magnificent stadium like this," Langer said.

"The noise was amazing and obviously to win in a very close contest just goes to show the character we've got at the club.

"We are a very closely knit team and most of us have played together for a very long time. That is going to be an advantage for us.

"We have also had a couple of fantastic years in county cricket and we won a lot of close games like this.

"This win is a tribute to the character of the guys.

"It's funny because Gilly, Andrew Symonds and most of the support staff at the Deccan Chargers are some of my closest mates. We might have a laugh in a few days time, but I'm not sure they will be laughing about it tonight."

Have you selected your Super Selector team?

Langer, however, believed the team still had some way to go in the tournament and needed to start from scratch in their next game against Trinidad and Tobago on Monday.

"It's a hectic schedule, but that's okay because it will show how mentally tough we are in this competition," he said.

"We have a big game against Trinidad and Tobago which we have got to win.

Click here to watch all the boundaries Somerset hit

"There are a lot of areas we can improve on, but to beat the Chargers on their home ground is a big confidence booster.

"Our preparation for this game was magnificent, but now we get back to the drawing board and make sure it is just as good for the game against Trinidad."

Thomas, who had begun the turnaround with the ball by claiming two wickets for 25, was thrilled with the victory.

"I just couldn't believe we had done it there at the end, but it was a lot of experience coming through," he said.

"James and I kept telling each other that we had to take it to the last over and then Fidel was taken off, which was bad luck for them but worked in our favour.

"We just had to keep our focus, but I think it was a great team effort as well.

Click here to watch Langer speak after the win

"The boys really fought back hard in the middle and it was a good all-round effort - it's a never-say-die team really."

The Chargers have never won a match in nine games at their home ground, but skipper Gilchrist praised his bowlers for a good fight.

"I thought we were about 40 runs short on this wicket," Gilchrist said.

"But we fought really well and in tough conditions. We had the rain and a wet ball at the end of it, but we hung in there and fought back really well.

"Then we lost Fidel. He was trying for a yorker with that first ball to (Marcus) Trescothick and the second time the ball was damp and slipped out his hand.

"It's unfortunate when your strike bowler can't bowl two of his last overs but rules are rules and we just have to look ahead now."

Click here to buy Airtel CLT20 tickets