In spite of having their backs against the wall chasing a mammoth 245 run total in their third home game at Indore, Kings XI Punjab put in an impressive display to cross the 200 run mark and lose by just 31 runs.
The batsmen would definitely have been hoping that they had fewer runs to chase and in the presentation ceremony KXIP captain Ravichandran Ashwin conceded that things exactly go according to plan for the Sher-e-Punjab.
“I think 245 was a little too many,” said Ashwin. “We didn't execute our plans really well. The bowlers were just caught under the fire.”
But Ashwin was also quick to point out that the team is willing to fight till the end no matter what, which is the kind of cricket he is looking forward to playing with the Kings.
Well played KKR 👏It was always tough to beat 245 but I’m very proud of the way the #kxip boys fought back 🏏@lionsdenkxip #redforever #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi #Movingon #KXIPvRR #Vivoipl2018
— Preity zinta (@realpreityzinta) 12 May 2018
The Kings’ team combination has been going through some changes throughout the league as they have been trying to find the exact combination which will click. With that in mind, they brought the big-hitter Aaron Finch back in to the playing XI and Ashwin felt that it is only a matter of time before the Aussie will start making a difference with the bat.
“The middle-order has been a concern for us and that's why we brought in Finchy,” Ashwin reasoned. “He hit the ball well today (against KKR). He is a world-class player and I am sure he will come good.”
“I would say we have got ourselves into an interesting situation. We still have got enough games to try and get through to the play-offs,” said the spinner.
Andrew Tye, who was the pick of the bowlers for KXIP, also pointed out that although the runs given away were a bit too much, he hoped for the middle order to find its feet soon to complement the firing opening pair.
“We'd love to have someone other than KL (Lokesh Rahul) stand up and go with him,” said the Aussie. “Finchy stood up a bit today but he was doing the team thing, trying to get what he could, because it was do or die at that stage.”