Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) registered their third defeat in the four matches played in the concurrent edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) underway in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The KL Rahul-led side failed to chase a target of 192 runs set by the Mumbai Indians (MI) and ended up losing the game by a margin of 48-runs.
Other than Nicholas Pooran (44, 27b), no player could manage to get past the 25-run mark in their individual tallies.
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Rahul (17) and Mayank (25) managed to put a 38-run opening stand but losing the wicket of the latter in the fifth over turned the fortune for the Kings XI unit.
Even the lower middle-order comprising Glenn Maxwell (11), James Neesham (7), and Sarfaraz Khan (7) couldn’t help the total. All-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham, who came out to bat No.8, remained unbeaten at 22 off 13 deliveries as he struck 2 fours and a six, and the score read 143/8 in 20 overs.
Another bowling option would be nice: KL Rahul
When KXIP skipper KL Rahul was asked about the performance exhibited by his team in today’s contest he said that the team made few mistakes and would surely bounce back stronger from this defeat. He hinted on roping in an additional all-rounder in the playing XI for the upcoming game.
“Obviously disappointing. Looking back, we could’ve been three wins out of four. This game, we made some mistakes. Important we come back stronger. Wicket looked good with the new ball. Don’t know if it slowed up after that. Another bowling option would be nice- an all-rounder option who can bat and bowl well. Will be sitting with the coaches to decide if we want to play an extra bowler,” said KL Rahul.
Inspite of today’s contest, Mayank Agarwal is still the highest run-getter in IPL 2020, amassing 246 runs in 4 innings, averaging 61.50, and striking at 166.21, with a hundred and a fifty each to his name. While KL Rahul is second to him in the leading run-scorers tally, with 239 runs at a mind-boggling average and strike rate of 79.66 and 148.44 respectively.
Speaking about the Orange-Cap, KL Rahul backed his teammate Mayank Agarwal for his performances with the bat in IPL 2020 but jokingly said that he might end up snatching it from him in the forthcoming games.
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“Until and unless that orange cap stays with Kings XI I’m happy. Agarwal has worked very hard and deserves that cap. I’m sure I’ll take it off him soon.”
However, Mayank denied any race for the Orange Cap and said that they are aiming to play good cricket and it doesn’t affect much who among their team members gets the runs on board.
“We are not competing for the cap, we are just looking to play some good cricket. It doesn’t matter who gets the runs, be it Rahul, Maxwell, Pooran or anyone else. Runs in the international circuit has given me a lot of confidence. In the lockdown, I sat down and looked on how things will work in the T20 template. The thought is just about getting into good positions,” said the 29-year-old in the post-match presentation.
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In the points tally, the Punjab-based franchise is at the sixth spot with 2 points and an NRR of +0.521.
Kings XI Punjab will be looking to get an immediate victory over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their upcoming encounter scheduled to take place on October 4, in Dubai.
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