Former Team India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has stated that the Punjab Kings (PBKS) will expect more contributions from their key player Chris Gayle with the bat even though he won’t be in his prime.
Gayle got out to Hardik Pandya in the deep off Kieron Pollard’s bowling in the Punjab Kings’ IPL 2021 match against the Mumbai Indians (MI). Punjab could only manage 135/6, which was chased down by Mumbai with an over to spare.
If the franchise doesn’t think that Gayle is good enough to open even when Mayank’s unavailable…should he be in the playing XI? #JustAsking #IPL2021 #CricketTwitter
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 28, 2021
While reviewing the encounter on Star Sports, Irfan Pathan said that Gayle will have to deliver his best for the Punjab Kings a swell.
“You expect more from Chris Gayle. I know he is a lion who is probably getting old but you will have to score runs. You don’t have too many options. Nicholas Pooran also performs well in the CPL but he has not been able to convert that talent in the IPL for a little while now,” he said.
“Markram definitely tried to play a good knock but you need that firepower. Hooda also tried but you need more than that. Especially when your backs are against the wall you need to come up with the big punch. Punjab Kings and their batsmen will have to play the big knocks,” Irfan Pathan added.
“Mayank Agarwal’s injury will be a huge blow” – Irfan Pathan
Meanwhile, on being asked about the Punjab Kings’ playoff chances, Irfan Pathan said that Mayank Agarwal’s injury could be a huge blow for the team.
“It is going to be very difficult. The first thing is that Mayank Agarwal injured his neck but it broke the back of the Punjab Kings batting because he was scoring a lot of runs. His coming back is very much necessary,” Irfan Pathan said.
“Other than him and KL Rahul, no one else is scoring a lot of runs. We did see Hooda scoring 20-30 runs in the middle but that is not good enough. You have to play the good match-winning knocks,” Irfan Pathan concluded.
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