Kings XI Punjab coach Tom Moody feels the high energy level of players played a crucial role in pulling off the thriller against Mumbai Indians.

"There were obviously some pressure overs that were executed particularly well towards the end, especially with Yusuf Abdulla stepping up the plate and doing the business for us," Moody said.

"We took some crucial chances"

"But I just think the whole team should take the hats off for one other because of the way they conducted themselves and the energy they brought to the 20 overs was the difference between the two teams," he was quoted as saying by the official IPL website.

The Australian also praised his team for taking chances at some crucial junctures.

"The thing that was really pleasing for me it was 11 guys out there who made the difference. The bowlers executed their roles. But the energy on the field was dynamic. We took some crucial chances at some key moments.

"That's important particularly in a tight struggle when you have got only 120 as a total. So it was a good collective effort," he said.

Moody also explained why spinners were so glaringly effective in the Twenty20 version on the otherwise bouncy pitches of South Africa.

"We always felt they were key over here, because at the end of the day in South Africa it's the end of their season, so the squares that we are playing on have already had a full season of cricket," Moody said.

"Mixed emotions" after Bopara left

"So they are a little bit tired, particularly when you are playing back-to-back games, spin tends to come into play. There is no surprise to us that spin is playing a role.

"It's no surprise that it plays a role anywhere in the world. You need a change of pace, you need to be unpredictable in those middle overs and the spinners are playing a crucial role in anyone's make-up," he added.

On England import Ravi Bopara, who performed splendidly for the team, being selected for the Test side to play against the West Indies, Moody said there were "mixed emotions".

"Ravi's a terrific acquisition for us. He is a terrific bloke and fit in the group very well. It was great to have him for the start of this season. He has kicked us off nicely. He is leaving on a positive note with a good win.

"Personally, he missed out but he has made some good contributions to the group on and off the field. And we are thrilled that he has been selected," he said.