Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) bowlers Mohit Sharma, Rahul Tewatia and Sandeep Sharma kept their side’s play-offs hopes alive with a 14-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a must-win Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Tuesday.
Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) bowlers redeemed themselves, after a flop show against Gujarat Lions (GL), crafting a 14-run win against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Tuesday, successfully defending a sub-par score of 167.
(Highlights) Crediting young Rahul Tewatia, Man of the Match Mohit Sharma said that Kings XI Punjab executed their plans well against the in-form Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). (Scorecard) “
It was an important win for us,” said Mohit Sharma. “We didn’t execute our plans in the previous game. We focused on our plans and process and followed that. Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine batted well, initially, but we were focused on sticking to our plans and in the end the result was in our favour.” Kings XI Punjab bowlers had failed to defend a target of 190 against Gujarat Lions on Tuesday were right on money stifling the flow of runs to defend a low score.
Mohit praised Tewatia’s four-over spell in which the young spinner gave away just 18 runs and took two wickets of Gautam Gambhir (8) and Robin Uthappa (0) and termed it as the turning point of the game.
“I think the spinners, especially Tewatia was good today. It was his first match of the season. His four overs was the turning point, he gave away just 18 runs. Sandeep also bowled well but in the end I think it was Tewatia spell and two wickets that made the difference,” said Mohit.
On Tuesday, as the other Kolkata Knight Riders batsmen failed to get going, Chris Lynn held fort and waged a lone battle and Mohit said that his wicket was what turned the match definitely in their favour.
“Any time you pick Chris Lynn’s wicket in 20 overs it is important. He is a big player and he bats in T20 as if its baseball. He always punishes a loose ball. The moment he got out, the match turned in our favour as a new batsman cannot come in and hit shots right from the start,” he said.
Kings XI Punjab, now have to play against table toppers Mumbai Indians on May 11, followed by Rising Pune Supergiant in the last match. Both the matches are must win for keeping their play-offs hopes alive. On the other hand they will also pray that Sunrisers Hyderabad lose their match.
“The pressure is good. T20 is a game wherein anybody can win on a given day. How a team plays on a given day matters. You have seen a bottom placed team cause an upset on their day. Anyone who plays well wins, it doesn’t matter whom you are playing. We need to focus on how we play and not think about the opposition,” said Mohit.
