After beating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Mohali on last Monday (8th April) night, the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) pacer Ankit Rajpoot revealed how he restricted the in-form batsman David Warner.
Currently, the SRH opener David Warner is the Orange Cap holder. The left-handed batsman is going through a dream form with the bat, and he also scored a half-century during the match against KXIP. However, it was his slowest IPL half-century which he completed in 49 balls. The left-handed batsman remained not out on 70 runs off 62 balls as SRH managed to score 150/4 (20 overs) in the first innings.
During the SRH innings, the KXIP pacer Ankit Rajpoot provided an economical start for the home team. Though he failed to take any wicket in that match, he had still the useful bowling figures of 4-0-21-0. Bowling in a tight line consistently, he restricted the dangerous SRH opening batsman David Warner.
In the post-match press conference, Ankit Rajpoot said, “The plan was to block his runs by bowling a tight line. I did not give him opportunity to play to his strength.”
The 25-year-old right-arm pacer claimed that the Mohali wicket was providing some swing in the match against SRH.
He added, “As my ball swings, I was given the responsibility to exploit the conditions. In other matches, we had flat or slow-turner wicket, so it was not that helpful. Here the wicket was green, and I was given the opportunity.”
Ankit Rajpoot revealed why missed out some matches in this season
On Monday night, Ankit Rajpoot was playing his second match in this season. His first match in this season was KXIP’s season opener against Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur on 25th March. Although he performed well in that match (2/33), he missed out next four matches before getting another opportunity.
Talking about his non-inclusion in those matches, Ankit Rajpoot claimed that he did not fit in the right combination.
He said, “The combination was not there. However, in this match the combination worked as we played Mujeeb Ur Rahman and an Indian bowler had to fit in, therefore, I played. But there was no pressure as I was ready to play every match, I had the support of my captain and coaches.”
Coming to the Mohali match between KXIP and SRH, the home team chased down the 151 runs target in the last over. KXIP opener KL Rahul (71*) and the no.3 batsman Mayank Agarwal (55) scored half-centuries in that chasing. KL Rahul held the nerve till the end and guided his team to the crucial victory. The home team chased down that target successfully in 19.5 overs after losing four wickets.
KXIP will play their next match on Wednesday (10th April) night when they will meet against the home team Mumbai Indians (MI). It will be their second match against MI in this season. During their home match against MI in this season, KXIP comfortably beat the Mumbai franchise by eight wickets.