So, it is a 2-in 2 losses for Kings XI Punjab. However, they were close in both the occasions and played a solid cricket throughout the game. Though they lost to Mumbai Indians at their home den, they got their positives and negatives to sort out quickly. As they already acquired decent numbers in their kitty, the loss didn’t hurt much.
We bowled pretty well, but this wasn’t our night: Ashwin
Speaking of the match, Ashwin quoted that the team fought well but unfortunately, ended up on the wrong side of the things. He didn’t blame a certain individual for the loss but expressed that they would have been on the winning side if key moments went to them. He also made a mark on Marcus Stoinis innings in the first innings.
”I thought the wicket was a bit sticky, said the same during the toss. We played pretty well, but didn’t get enough runs in the end. If not for Stoinis, we wouldn’t have got 174. We fought well, if a few things had gone our way, we might have ended as winners. We bowled pretty well, but this wasn’t our night. Not really (if the week’s break cost them the momentum), it’s just a perception, the week off didn’t hurt us,” Ashwin quoted.
”This tournament isn’t all that easy, it’s not easy to knock off 16 points, if we play like this for the next 3-4 games, we should be good enough to qualify for the knockouts. Captaincy brings a lot of responsibility, so far so good. 6 games to go, it’s not about getting 3 wins, if we play the brand of cricket that we are playing, we should do good,” he added while speaking in the post-match presentation.
All in all, Kings XI Punjab played a decent cricket but just couldn’t imply pressure perfectly on the defending champions. However, it is all about that16-point mark and Ashwin-led side is just 3 wins away from it. They have 6 games in their kitty to progress in the tourney.
Coming to the future assignments of the team, they will tour Jaipur to take on Rajasthan Royals on May 8th and then heads back to the home to play Kolkata Knight Riders on May 12th.