Cricket News: Deccan, Royals losses hurt most: Hodge

Johannesburg: With 359 runs in 11 matches, Brad Hodge is not only the top-scorer for Kolkata, but also among the top six run scorers in the IPL. As his team prepares for the last game of this year's dismal campaign, he spoke to CNN-IBN and reflected on his team's show in the second season.

Brad Hodge: A win took a long time coming, but I'm just delighted that the guys can celebrate a win. We have been trying hard, and it just hasn't worked our way, but when I was batting I was confident we can keep getting the runs, and it turned out that way in the end, which is good.

CNN-IBN: What did you tell your partner Wriddhiman Saha at the crease?

Brad Hodge: I just said, "Back yourself, mate" and just to have fun, and "we'll get it done." I thought so half-way beautifully. I thought Brendon played well and everyone. It was a really good effort.

CNN-IBN: Do you feel in some way it was ironical that Kolkata didn't bowl that well but you managed to bat and chase down that total?

Brad Hodge: Probably it was a fear of performance. But yes. The irony was that we went out and batted well. I suppose we had nothing to lose and we played like that. When you're chasing a high total you have to go out there and back your ability and do the best you can.

CNN-IBN: How hard was it to come back after the loss againstDeccan Chargers and do well?

Brad Hodge: Extremely hard, actually. The two losses which have hurt the most have been the ones against Deccan and the one to Rajasthan early on in the tournament. They were really tough games to lose because we were in positions to win. Unfortunately we didn't in either one of them.