Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) had a perfect start to this year’s campaign with a comprehensive win over Delhi Daredevils at IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. They cruised to victory with six wickets in hand and seven balls to spare on Sunday (April 8) evening.
Batting first, Delhi posted 166 runs while banking on their skipper Gautam Gambhir’s fifty. However, a late cameo from Chris Morris ensured that they go past the 150-run mark.
Meanwhile, in reply, Lokesh Rahul got Punjab off to a flier. He scored the fastest fifty in IPL off just 14 deliveries, as Punjab reached fifty within three overs.
Although Punjab lost two wickets, Karun Nair (50) ensured that they are well over the run-rate.
Moreover, it was the overseas duo of David Miller (24*) and Marcus Stoinis (22*), who saw Punjab home.
Here are the players’ ratings of the Kings XI Punjab side:
Lokesh Rahul (wk): (8.5/10)
KL Rahul had a perfect start to this IPL edition. He struck the fastest fifty in the history of IPl as Punjab got off to a significant mark.
Rahul scored 51 runs off just 16 deliveries as his innings was laced with six fours and four sixes.
Mayank Agarwal: (3/10)
The prolific run-scorer, Mayank Agarwal failed to replicate his domestic form in IPL. To start off, Rahul overshadowed him with a blistering knock.
Although he struck a massive six to start the proceedings but fell thereafter.
Karun Nair: (8/10)
Karun Nair carried his domestic form to the IPL as he registered a match-winning fifty.
The middle-order batsman Nair carried on from where Rahul left. He completed his half-century in 32 balls before getting out.
Yuvraj Singh: (4/10)
The veteran batsman Yuvraj Singh had a poor start to this year’s tournament. Yuvraj failed to get going as he scored 12 runs off just 22 deliveries.
He threw away his wicket to Rahul Tewatia while shifting gears.
David Miller: (6/10)
The southpaw from South Africa once again did the job for Punjab, he has been doing over the years.
He played a responsible 24 runs off just 23 balls as Punjab eased pat to victory.
Marcus Stoinis: (6/10)
The swashbuckling all-rounder from Australia Marcus Stoinis had a good outing in the first game of the league. Although, he did bowl only one over but rose with the bat – to ease Punjab to their maiden victory.
Stoinis struck 22 off 15 deliveries as Punjab cruised to victory with seven balls to spare.
Axar Patel: (3.5/10)
Axar Patel failed to pay back the trust shown on him by his franchise. KXIP retained Axar prior to the auctions.
The left-arm spinner went for 35 runs in his 3 overs and returned with a lone wicket.
Ravichandran Ashwin (c): (7/10)
The Kings XI Punjab skipper led the team from the front. Although he returned with one wicket but bowled a tight line and length.
He gave away only 23 runs in his four overs while bowling in the powerplays.
Andrew Tye: (3/10)
The fast bowler from Australia Andrew Tye didn’t have a good outing in the first match of the edition.
Tye failed to contain runs as the batsmen hammered him to 38 runs out of his four overs.
However, Tye will like to come back strong in the next fixture.
Mohit Sharma: (5.5/10)
The experienced fast bowler picked two crucial wickets as Delhi failed to score quickly.
Although, Mohit was a bit on the expensive side but did a good job with the ball early on.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman: (7/10)
The young spinner from Afghanistan had a good debut in IPL. He claimed two crucial wickets of Colin Munro and Rishabh Pant.
Mujeeb, who returned with two for 28 and will like to continue his form going into the next match.
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