KL Rahul’s side is still in with a shout of qualifying for the IPL playoffs after winning against KKR. Kings XI Punjab has now won their last 5 matches in IPL 2020. Once again KXIP ticked all the right boxes first with the ball and then the bat. Chasing a target of 150 against KKR it was Chris Gayle who starred with the bat.
The ‘Universe Boss’ once again exhibited why he’s widely recognized as the greatest T20 batsman of all time. Gayle teed off from ball one and cleared the boundary with ease. He didn’t spare any Kolkata Knight Riders bowler and made the match one side with his scintillating batting effort.
Kings XI Punjab Win By 8 Wickets
Gayle played a sublime knock of 51 from 28 deliveries which included 5 towering sixes. At the other end, he got support from Mandeep Singh who himself recorded an unbeaten well-compiled half-century.
Eventually, KXIP chased down the target convincingly and won by 8 wickets. They now have 6 wins after 12 league matches and if they win their last 2 they will inevitably enter the top 4.
Earlier in the match, the top order of KKR perished early again at Sharjah. Apart from Shubman Gill and Eoin Morgan, nobody else looked in touch and they ended up posting an ordinary total.
A Lot Of Credit Should Go To The Coaches- KL Rahul
Mohammed Shami was the best of the KXIP bowlers along with young Ravi Bishnoi. Shami was lethal with the new ball and picked 3 wickets. On the other hand, Bishnoi impressed once again and had figures of 2-20 in his 4 overs spell.
Meanwhile, KKR will now be in a must-win situation from their next match for advancing further in the competition. Here’s what the winning skipper KL Rahul said in the post-match presentation.
“I am very happy. The whole team will be. we collectively decided to go out there and play positive cricket, and things can turn around. It is different persons putting their hand up at different times. Just happy that everything is coming together. Fingers crossed that we can win a few more games. The kind of toughness Mandeep has shown has rubbed on to other ways. Everybody is emotional. Just to put his hand up, just to be there, just to finish off the game, makes us so proud”.
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“When we have Anil Kumble as a coach, it is no surprise we are playing two legspinners. He always had that in mind. He has worked really really hard on them. Complete team effort and a lot of credit should go to the coaches. Chris, it was a very hard decision not to play him, He is the hungriest I have seen in the last seven-eight years playing for different franchises. Running ones and twos. And you know how he keeps the dressing room upbeat. To do it over and over again, year after year. We will enjoy tonight’s victory, enjoy tomorrow, and then start thinking about the next game. One game at a time”, said KL Rahul
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