Kings XI Punjab failed to make it to the playoffs of the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL), as they suffered a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Sunday, leaving Preity Zinta fuming.
Kings XI Punjab who were tipped as one of the favourites to win the title in the initial stages of the tournament faced a string of losses in the second half of the tournament.
Punjab had won five of their first six matches and were clearly on route to make it to the playoffs. However, a seven-day layoff proved to be pivotal for the Punjab based franchise. They lost seven of the last eight matches they played after this.
The brand of cricket that the Punjab-based franchise played in the initial stages was deemed as enough to win their maiden IPL title.
However, these losses have been hard to digest both for the fans and team owner, Preity Zinta.
Bollywood actress, Preity Zinta who owns the Kings XI Punjab has expressed her disappointment on failing to qualify for the playoffs on Twitter.
Zinta also apologised to the fans to the team for not being up to the mark this season.
She wrote on her Twitter account,
“Who would have thought that after winning 5 out of 6 games in the beginning @lionsdenkxip would have ended the #Ipl on this note. I’m sorry to all our fans & supporters for not being up to the mark this season. Next year we won’t let you down. #disappointed”
Who would have thought that after winning 5 out of 6 games in the beginning @lionsdenkxip would have ended the #Ipl on this note. I’m sorry to all our fans & supporters for not being up to the mark this season. Next year we won’t let you down. #disappointed
— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) May 21, 2018
KXIP lost their last match by five wickets despite being in a commanding position early in the second innings. Punjab had restricted CSK to 27/3, but the bowlers were unable to mark any major problems afterwards.
With all league matches done and dusted, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders have qualified for the playoffs.
