IPL 2018, KXIP vs SRH: 5 Talking Points
Tonight’s game at Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium at Mohali between home side KXIP and visitors SRH had a lot of promise before the match started as it was the best batting line up against the best bowling line-up in this year’s IPL.
A close contest between bat and ball is what everyone expected from such a clash. KXIP’s batting will receive its fiercest test thus far as SRH possesses quality, in-form bowlers who can strike at regular intervals.
On a slightly slow pitch at Mohali which offers a lot for the bowlers, if batsmen get in they can make it count. This also was KXIP’s last home game to be played at Mohali before they move on to Indore, so that added the extra incentive for the fans to throng the stadium if watching the KXIP team in itself wasn’t incentive enough.
The Mohali crowds got full value for their money as Chris Gayle reminded everyone watching how good a striker of the cricket ball he is. He was at his majestic best on his way to his sixth IPL hundred. He along with Karun Nair ensured KXIP made 193 which after SRH’s star batsman Shikhar Dhawan’s injury proved too much for the visitors.
KXIP’s bowlers choked the SRH innings to win this encounter by 15 runs in a game which would be remembered for Cristopher Henry Gayle’s stunning batting performance.
Here's looking back at the game between KXIP and SRH with the talking points.
#1 Chris Gayle lights up Mohali with a committed performance
Chris Gayle, the ‘Universe Boss’ was just bought at the players' auction at the last moment by the KXIP franchise. A player who has dominated the T20 format of the game was almost not going to be a part of the biggest T20 tournament in the world.
A lot of questions were posed with regards to his technique, fitness and age. Chris Gayle silenced all his critics with his brand of demolition against CSK earlier after sitting out of the playing XI for the first two matches for KXIP.
Everyone could see a different Chris Gayle in this game against SRH. He produced a committed performance. Yes, he demolished the SRH bowlers all across the Mohali ground by hitting 11 sixes.
But we could see the commitment and dedication with which Chris Gayle performed and delivered for his new franchise. He negotiated the early overs well, got a good hang of the pitch and made it count with an imperious century, the first one of this season’s IPL.
Chris Gayle was sending a silent message to anyone who thought he was finished as far playing in T20s or IPL is concerned. It goes without saying that the RCB management and fans would be lamenting the fact that they couldn’t retain Chris Gayle as the ‘Universe Boss’ has arrived in style!