KL Rahul, the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) skipper said that the side is motivated to make the IPL 2020 season a memorable one by playing a good brand of cricket. The KL Rahul-led side will open its campaign against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday (20th September).
The fans of KXIP XI Punjab will pin their hopes on this man as the team looks to win their maiden title. The opener and skipper KL Rahul scored 659 runs in IPL 2018 and followed it with 593 runs last season. Both seasons his average was over 50.
KL Rahul Looks Forward To Making IPL 2020 A Memorable One As KXIP Are Motivated To Play Good Brand Of Cricket
Together with Chris Gayle, KL Rahul formed a potent opening combination that took the attack to the opposition and he enjoyed the freedom given to him at the top of the batting order.
“The team has been fantastic, we’ve been getting along great and are looking forward to playing a good brand of cricket and making this season a memorable one,” Rahul said.
“We’re confident, we’re motivated and we are really excited to be a part of this edition of the Indian Premier League,” he added.
KL Rahul, who has been handed the Kings XI Punjab captaincy after two stellar seasons with the bat at the top of the order, said it will be a challenging experience playing in the UAE without the fans but the team is ready to grab the opportunity with both hands.
“It is going to be a different experience this year, but we as a team are up to the challenge and are playing for all the fans who continue to support us,” Rahul said.
He led the KXIP run charts in 2018 with over 650 runs with six half-centuries that included a couple of 90s. He had a superb 2019 season, where he even got his maiden IPL ton and finished the season with an impressive average of 53.90.
KXIP Have A Top Notch Line Up In 2020: Head Coach Anil Kumble
KXIP, who have never won the IPL, are aiming to go all the way this time with a strong squad at their disposal with the likes of KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Mohammed Shami and overseas recruits Chris Gayle, Glenn Maxwell, Sheldon Cottrell, Jimmy Neesham, the in-form Nicholas Pooran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
“The team looks great and we have a top-notch line up this season. The boys have been working really hard and we have a nice balance of youth and experience in our squad,” head Coach Anil Kumble said.
“We are all looking forward to having a good season this year. I truly believe that Kings XI Punjab have the necessary squad to go all the way in this IPL,” he added.
KL Rahul is expected to open beside the big-hitter Chris Gayle while Mayank Agarwal may also be a contender for the opening slot. Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Karun Nair and overseas batsmen Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell fill the remaining batting slots. Jimmy Neesham, Mohammad Shami, Chris Jordan and Sheldon Cottrell fill-up the bowling slots. Youngsters like pacer Ishan Porel and spinner Ravi Bishnoi also are in the squad. Mujeeb Ur Rahman of Afghanistan and Murugan Ashwin will fight for spinners slot.