Team needed this knock8217;

NOVember 16: Even Paras Mhambrey didn8217;t expect things to go his way as a batsman at Wankhede today. The 27-year-old had every reason to be pleased after hauling his team from the rut with a heroic 111.

8220;I never expected this. I have always taken my batting seriously and it was just a case of applying myself8230;things just happened for me,8221; he was to say later in the day. 8220;I had gone out to accumulate runs. Overall, it was an important knock for the team. My team needed this knock more than me.8221;

Mhambrey had underlined his batting abilities a fortnight ago while posting 96 in a Times Shield match against an attack comprising Ajit Agarkar, Subroto Banerjee, Sriram Kannan and Sandeep Dahad. Complimenting debutant Kannan for his resilience, Mhambrey said: 8220;It was an excellent display. He gave me the confidence to go for the runs.8221;