Anil Kumble, who is Kings XI Punjab’s coach revealed the reason behind skipper KL Rahul not donning the gloves. KL Rahul was not keeping wickets in the last 2 matches against Chennai Super Kings and SunRisers Hyderabad. KL Rahul, who is also the orange cap holder by being leading run-scorer needed a break from wicket-keeping duties and was replaced by the likes of Nicholas Pooran and Prabhsimran Singh.

KXIP made three changes in their playing XI after receiving a heavy loss to CSK by 10 wickets as Prabhsimran Singh, Arshdeep Singh and Mujeeb Ur Rahman came into the side replacing Chris Jordan, Sarfaraz Khan and Harpreet Brar. But KXIP failed again as MOM Jonny Bairstow scored 97 and SRH skipper David Warner (52 runs) stitched a 160 run stand for the opening wicket. Spinner Ravi Bishnoi took 3 wickets as SRH lost both openers and Manish Pandey with adding only 1 run.

KL Rahul, Anil Kumble — KL Rahul. Image Credit: IPL.

Anil Kumble: KL Rahul Felt He Needed A Bit Of Break

Despite Nicholas Pooran’s 77, none of the other batsmen contributed more than 11 as KXIP could only manage 132 in reply to SRH’s mammoth 201/6. Nicholas Pooran kept wickets against CSK while Prabh Simran Singh kept wickets against SRH. Rashid Khan was the wrecker in chief with 3 wickets conceding only 12 runs.

“KL Rahul felt after first few games that he needed a bit of a break. He felt that Nic Pooran can keep wickets” Anil Kumble said.

Niochlas Pooran (KXIP)

Anil Kumble: Prabhsimran Singh Shown Talent In Past 2 Months

Prabh Simran Singh is from Patiala and is a hard hitting wicketkeeper batsman. He was one of the highlights of the player auctions prior to IPL 2019 as he attracted a huge price tag of Rs. 4.8 crore, eventually being signed up by Kings XI Punjab. Though he was released during the pre-auction transfer window, KXIP bought him for IPL 2020 for INR 55 lakh.

The 20-year-old rose to fame came when he smashed 298 from just 301 balls in an Under-23 district tournament. He led the Indian team to victory in the Under-19 Asia Cup in 2018.

“We felt Prabhsimran Singh has shown a lot of talent in the past 2 months he has been here. We know that he is an existing talent. We felt that this was the game that we can give him an opportunity. And, Prab is a keeper. So, we felt that if Prab keeps then obviously KL and Nic Pooran can field”

Despite Nicholas Pooran’s quickest 50 in IPL 2020, KXIP were beaten and they are the last team in the IPL 2020 points table with only 1 win and 5 losses and has only 2 points. Anil Kumble felt that Prabh Simran Singh should be given the opportunity as he is a keeper and an exciting talent. Anil Kumble also mentioned that Chris Gayle should have played but he had a stomach upset in the eve of the match.