Kings XI Punjab -- The positives from a defeat
Yet another defeat and it’s only the Deccan Chargers’ listless show that separates Kings XI Punjab and the wooden spoon. A resurgent Royal Challengers Bangalore had it easy in the end after a superb 131 runs stand between the in form pair Chris Gayle and Ab de Villiers as they cruised past Punjab’s total to register a 5-wicket victory.
But unlike in the last game against Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab had their moments in the match and despite the loss, the home side had plenty of positives to dwell upon.
1. The Aussie Duo
During the first innings, early jolts by Zaheer Khan brought together the Australian pair of Shaun Marsh and David Hussey. The duo are KXIP’s best bet with the bat and their skill were on full display in the three over long partnership that yielded 30. The pair, who struck some gloriously timed shots, also made sure that the dot ball count was kept as low as possible and stole singles with some good running between the wickets. Even though the partnership had a very short life, it temporarily threatened to take the game away from RCB.
Marsh was the aggressor early on as he started off with some elegant drives through the off side cordon before smashing countryman Andrew McDonald straight over his head for a maximum. On a pitch that was conducive to strokeplay, Marsh enjoyed the ball coming on to the bat and looked in total control until McDonald took advantage of a slight lapse in concentration and avenged the six in the previous over by knocking off his bails.
On the other hand, the stand in skipper, Hussey, played a mature knock to anchor the innings and set up a solid base for the lower middle order. Early on he played second fiddle to Marsh and showed how to keep the score board moving without taking too many risks. But just as he was set to cut loose, Hussey, who was run-out at crucial junctures in the previous two games, was once again dismissed at the wrong time as he dragged a slower one onto his stumps.
2. The IPL debut of the Pakist… err English All rounder
Veteran all rounder and an accomplished twenty20 cricketer in the county circuit, Azhar Mahmood, making his IPL debut, played a typically breezy innings towards the end to propel the final score to a competitive one.The former Pakistani all rounder, who has now acquired a British passport, rolled back the years and made the most out of some wayward bowling by the opposition. Even though the thirty-seven year old failed to make much of an impact with the ball, his presence in the playing XI will provide the skipper with more options to play with. Given his vast experience he can be used as a floater in the batting line up and can also be asked to send down some economical spells in the middle overs with his medium pace.
3. The new kid on the block
Royal Challengers Bangalore were in trouble early on in their innings after an initial burst from Parvinder Awana which left RCB reeling at 25/3. The fast bowler worked up some good speed and hurried the batsmen with his raw pace. Though it would be too early and counter productive to term him as the find of the season, he has a decent record in the domestic circuit behind him as proof of his potential. Last season, playing for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy, Awana picked up a rich haul of 35 wickets to emerge as the highest wicket-taker for his team. A call-up to the national side will be his motivation to continue in the same vein and from the team’s point of view, they now know that they have someone who can push the batsman on their back foot.
Kings XI Punjab’s next assignment is a tough away match against Mumbai Indians. But even though on paper Mumbai looks far more superior than KXIP, the visitors will draw confidence from the positives when they step out at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.