Getting Mayank Agarwal run-out was a disaster: KL Rahul
Kings XI Punjab skipper KL Rahul, after the team's defeat at the hands of the Sunrisers Hyderabad, accepted that the run-out of Mayank Agarwal was one of the primary reasons why the Punjab side failed to chase down the target.
Jonny Bairstow's brilliant 97 and David Warner's well-made 52 ensured that SRH posted a mammoth total of 201-6 in 20 overs.
Needing 202 runs to win, KXIP needed a good start from their in-form openers Rahul and Agarwal. However, a misunderstanding between the duo led to the latter getting run-out. This was a big blow for KXIP and they never really recovered from there, losing the game by 69 runs.
"I think when we lose wickets in the powerplay, it's always going to be tough and getting Mayank run-out was a disaster. We kept losing wickets after that and it was one of those days where everything (aerial shots) went into the hands of fielders," KL Rahul said after the game.
Nicholas Pooran is so good to watch and is hitting proper cricketing shots: KL Rahul
Nicholas Pooran was the lone KXIP warrior in the second innings as he scored a quickfire 77 runs off just 37 balls including 5 fours and 7 huge sixes.
KL Rahul is extremely happy with the form that Pooran is showing and stated that the openers will have to give the team a good start so that players like Pooran can do the damage towards the end of the innings.
KL Rahul also praised young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who bowled bravely and picked up three wickets at the death, helping KXIP restrict SRH to 201 runs when the actual score could have been in excess of 230 given the start SRH had.
"Pooran is so good to watch, he's hitting proper cricketing shots. If we do a decent job at the start, he can do the job for us later. He's (Ravi Bishnoi) always enjoyed those situations, that's great to see for a youngster," KL Rahul said.
KXIP will play their next game against the Kolkata Knight Riders on 10th October in Abu Dhabi and will be looking to start the innings well to put up a good score.