Quinton de Kock praised the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)'s "unbelievable" performance after they defeated the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by six wickets to win their first match in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, and overall as well.

As the Super Giants chased a target of 211 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, De Kock (61) and captain KL Rahul (40) put on a 99-run opening partnership, while Evin Lewis slammed an unbeaten 55 off 23 balls.

This season, the Super Giants are one of two new franchises in the Indian Premier League.

“It was unbelievable. To be winning these types of close games is always good for the team morale. Great win, boys batted really well,” South African wicketkeeper-batter De Kock told Star Sports.

“We came out fighting and to come out on top is always special. It was nice to get out there and just bat, I wasn’t in too much rush.”

De Kock hailed West Indies batter Evin Lewis and 22-year-old Ayush Badoni for their quickfire knocks.

“Evin played a hell of a knock tonight, which was unbelievable, and so did the youngster (Badoni)… It was nervy, chasing 211 is always going to be a close game but the boys were quite calm,” De Kock added.

The key, according to Lewis, who was named the Player-of-the-Match, was not to overcomplicate things.

“On the big stage I try to keep it simple and do the best for my team and myself,” he added.

(Star Sports inputs)