Chris Gayle again contributed with the bat on Monday as he scored 51 runs off 29 balls to power his side to an eight-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders. The win has taken Kings XI Punjab to the fourth spot in the IPL points table above KKR who are placed 5th.
Kings XI Punjab’s reversal in fortunes has coincided with the introduction of explosive batsman West Indian Chris Gayle into the playing XI. The ‘Universe Boss’ has made an instant impact with his contributions with the bat scoring 177 runs in 5 matches averaging 35.4 with 2 fifties.
KL Rahul And Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle’s Exclusion Was A Hard Decision As He Is Hungry For Runs: KL Rahul
It is just not his batting that boosts teams but also the positive impact that he has on his teammates with his cheerful personality. His inclusion in the last 5 games saw KXIP winning all after losing 6 matches out of initial 7 matches. He again contributed with the bat as he scored 51 runs off 29 balls with 2 fours and 5 sixes to power his side to an eight-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders.
KL Rahul
“Chris, it was a very hard decision not to play him, He is the hungriest I have seen in the last seven-eight years playing for different franchises. Running ones and twos. And you know how he keeps the dressing room upbeat. To do it over and over again, year after year… We will enjoy tonight’s victory, enjoy tomorrow, and then start thinking about the next game. One game at a time,” Rahul told host broadcaster Star Sports at the post-match presentation.
The win has taken KXIP to the fourth spot in the IPL points table above KKR. After the win, KXIP skipper KL Rahulpraised dashing batsman, Chris Gayle, saying that the left-handed West Indies batsman always keeps the dressing room upbeat and KXIP will take one game at a time.
KL Rahul: Mandeep Singh Has Made KXIP Proud With Toughness
KXIP chased down the target of 150 with eight wickets in hand and seven balls to spare. Opener Mandeep Singh and Chris Gayle played knocks of 66 and 51 respectively. Mandeep Singh was unbeaten on 66 while Chris Gayle was dismissed after scoring 51.
Mandeep Singh lost his father on Friday and lauding the batsman’s effort to still play for the Punjab franchise, Rahul said: “The kind of toughness Mandeep has shown has rubbed on to other ways. Everybody is emotional. Just to put his hand up, just to be there, just to finish off the game, makes us so proud.”
Mandeep Singh (Image Credit: IPL)
Earlier, KKR opener Shubman Gillplayed a knock of 57 runs off 45 balls as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) posted a total of 149/9 in the allotted twenty overs. But apart from him and Eoin Morgan who scored 40 and Lockie Ferguson who scored 24, the other batsmen managed single-digit scores. KXIP has now won their last five matches in the ongoing IPL, keeping the hopes of qualifying for the playoffs alive.
Kings XI Punjab will next lock horns against Rajasthan Royals on Friday, October 30 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi while KKR will face Chennai Super Kings on 29th October at Dubai.
