Kings XI Punjab have already faced three super overs. In their first game while they were almost taking the game away from the Capitals, Stoinis kept them at bay with a fantastic field setting. With only one run to win, Chris Jordan got trapped at short square leg area. They lost the game in the super over. Against Royal Challengers Bangalore, they registered a comprehensive win.
Sharjah is a problem for any side, as it’s hard to predict. And Rajasthan chased down their first innings score of 223. So Punjab played their first three games just not to remain at the bottom. Just two points from three games somehow made them go behind CSK and KKR who were playing nothing splendid. Against Mumbai, they lost at Abu Dhabi. Against imbalanced Chennai, they couldn’t defend a healthy score. In the KKR game, they were always in the game. But the hangover of a single win in the tournament choked them towards the end of the match.
It was not only the consecutive losses that kept the camp at sea, but it was incapability to finish things off. They were starting well, keeping things under control in the middle and nervousness crippling them in injury time. They were the only team down the table to resurrect anytime. With Gayle joining the side, it looked that they were pumped up. Then came the day against MI when the two teams tasted a separate and tough challenge in their second battle. Shami defended 5 in the first super over resulting in a tie. In the second super over Punjab chased down 11. Having beaten the oppositions in three consecutive matches, they are at No. 6, ahead of CSK and Rajasthan Royals.
Marked problems in the camp…
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Maxwell's form….
Maxwell reached UAE with a good memory of a come-back, winning the man of the series award against England. He is one of the promising players in the camp and it’s why he is playing every match. But his contribution to boost the middle order yet to draw the fans’ attention.
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Fourth overseas…
Whether it’s Cottrell or Neesham or Jordan to make the playing XI, is something to concern.
Plus points in the side…
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Top-order…
While most of the teams are still trying to fix their best opening pair or seeking something exceptional from their right combination at the top, it’s the top order of Kings XI Punjab to remain okay regarding the both. They have a perfect opening pair with K.L Rahul and Mayank Agarwal to start off, and at the same time they are very consistent and disciplined. At No 3, Chris Gayle needs no introduction.
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Md. Shami…
Shami is in great form. He is disciplined and trustworthy. His bowling in the first super over against Mumbai was a dream spell anybody will wish to recreate.
What’s next…
We expect fantastic cricket in the next couple of matches. They have been playing dominating cricket, since Gayle’s return to the side. They have to play against SRH and KKR in the next two contests. Consistency may be the key for them.
K’s conclusion…
” With balance back to the team, they must continue dominating….”
[…] Agarwal missing out, they lost quick wickets including Henry Gayle. As I said in my last article Kings XI Punjab: A Late-Season Analysis, Maxwell again failed. With only 126 to defend, they created pressure on Hyderabad’s off-form […]