Cape Cobras skipper Andrew Puttick was distraught after Trinidad and Tobago brushed them aside to make it to the finals.

By Rajarshi Gupta

However, the left-handed opening batsman chose to reflect more on the skilful Reds rather than his own team's sloppy effort on the field.

"All credit to Trinidad and Tobago for the win. I have a suspicion they will have a slight edge against the New South Wales Blues in the finals."

Puttick opined T&T were now familiar with the conditions in Hyderabad and that could be the major difference.

"I think Daren's (Ganga) men have that X-factor, which could see them through in what I think will be a very close final."

Watch the interview of Andrew Puttick

Reflecting on the seven-wicket defeat, the skipper said had the team held on to some chances, the game could have gone a lot closer.

"We did a good job with the bat. A score in excess of 170 was definitely a challenging score. I am not saying we would have won had we taken those (dropped) catches but I am sure we would have made life more difficult for them."

Puttick admitted that the Cobras let the pressure of a big match get to them at the end of what has been a ‘wonderful tournament for his side'.

"We had a hell of a good time in India and it was a great chance for some of our younger players to make an impact on such a big stage. We just could not handle the pressure well enough."

The captain said he was very happy with whatever the team had achieved over the last two weeks.

Meanwhile, a brimming Ganga, skipper of Trinidad and Tobago said the side took one step at a time and it paid off.

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"We played each game like it was the final and as if it was our last match. A lot of young players in the team took on the responsibility and they delivered.

Having ousted the Deccan Chargers, the IPL team from Hyderabad, T&T were the flavour of the town with their brilliant all-round cricket and Ganga owned up to that.

"The locals have adopted us after the Chargers' early exit from the tournament. The important thing for us now is to stay focussed ahead of the finals."

Ganga, who was not in the best of form in the Airtel CL T20 so far played a captain's knock (44 not out) and with Man of the Match Dwayne Bravo (58 not out), led a brilliant recovery after three quick wickets.

Watch the interview of Daren Ganga

Needless to say, the skipper was delighted with his and Bravo's return to form.

"Both of us were not in the best touch with the bat and I am glad everyone has now contributed. I am really pleased with the way things have gone for us."

Kieron Pollard, William Perkins, Adrian Barath and Navin Stewart are already on a great run and now with Ganga and Bravo getting back amongst the runs, T&T will be more confident than ever before.

They lock horns with the NSW Blues in the finals at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium in Hyderabad tonight. 

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