Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) seamer, Andrew Tye showered heaps of praise on his teammate Chris Gayle after the latter’s unbeaten 104 helped Punjab hand Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) their first defeat of the season.
Gayle ’s 63-ball unbeaten innings, which included 11 sixes, helped Kings XI Punjab post a total of 193/3. However, in reply, Sunrisers Hyderabad fell short by 15 runs after a poor start.
The big hitter broke the shackles when he took Rashid Khan for 26 runs including four sixes. Gayle reached his fifty in 39 deliveries and took another 19 balls to reach his hundred.
Moreover, Gayle is in his top-form and if continues like this Punjab will be one of the title-contenders.
Tye praised Gayle
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Tye lauded his teammate and admitted he was spot on in picking his bowlers.
“The pitch was good one tonight. A little bit on the slower side, more like the first game we had here. Gayle played it to perfection, picked his guys and went after them. He made sure to put pressure on the bowlers. Making sure that he stays there and launch. You don’t see Khan hit for more than 25 or so in an over often. He went for 55 runs in the end. So it was awesome,” Tye said.
The fast bowler from Australia also revealed it was a strategy to play Gayle until the end. Meanwhile, the Jamaican completed his 21st T20 hundred and the first of this season of IPL.
“I think he (Gayle) went about it very well; he knew that once he got through the powerplay and spin comes on then he can get into a rhythm. I think he was very smart and didn’t took too many risks against the pacers,” Tye added.
We have a good variety in our attack – Tye
Tye was absolutely brilliant last night against the likes of Kane Williamson and Manish Pandey. He returned with two for 23 in his full quota.
However, he feels they have a good variety in their bowling attack. He is looking forward to when every bowler will be in his top form.
“We have a good variety in our attack. Apart from myself, we have Mohit (Sharma), Barinder (Sran), then you have got Ashwin and Mujeeb and others who can bowl as well. We are balanced at the moment. There will be some selection headaches when Axar (Patel) is available again. Even Mohit hasn’t hit his straps yet, I can’t wait, and I’m excited at the feeling when we all fire. We probably will bowl the team for less than 100,” Tye concluded.
Also read: Kings XI Punjab Players Rating
