IPL 2019 | Player Ratings - Collective Kings XI Punjab effort hands Rajasthan Royals 12-run defeat
Ravichandran Ashwin led the Kings XI Punjab side with unmatched confidence and continued their domination over Rajasthan Royals this season. An all-round effort from the batsmen as well the bowlers helped the KXIP seal their fourth win and climb to fifth position on the points table.
Chris Gayle (6/10) - After Kulkarni maintained perfect line and length in his first two overs, the Universal Boss decided to target the man who everyone goes after - Jaydev Unadkat. Two back-to-back sixes meant that Rahane had to replace the left armer with Jofra Archer in the powerplay. It was the English all-rounder who eventually dismissed the hard hitting Jamaican. Still 30 off 22 is not bad when compared to the next man on this list.
KL Rahul (5/10) - Having been picked in the World Cup squad, it appeared the Indian star wanted to audition for a place in the Test team as well with just four runs coming off his bat in 13 balls during the powerplay. His first boundary, believe it or not, came in the 12th over and no points for guessing that it came off Unadkat. Following a laboured fifty off 45 balls, his dismissal to Unadkat was almost poetic.
Mayank Agarwal (6.5/10) - With Rahul pulling a Pujara, Mayank stepped in like an AB. After hitting Sodhi for a six to get started, he saved his best for Gopal who leaked 12 runs in an over just to the Karnataka lad. Maybe it was a rush of blood to the head or just to make up for the lack of runs at the other end, Mayank went for an ill advised slog against Sodhi and was snapped up at long off by Archer.
David Miller (7/10) - After Moises Henriques rolled over his ankle in the warm-ups, Miller was handed a place in the playing eleven. After a slow start, 12 runs off as many balls, Miller decided to up the tempo. An eventual 40 off 27 balls might not be a typical Killer Miller innings, but in the circumstances, that can easily be the reason why Punjab managed to reach a good total by the end.
Nicholas Pooran (3/10) - Ironically, the only other match that Pooran batted in during this IPL was the reverse fixture of this game. In that game, after his 12 off 13 balls, he was caught by Rahane off Stokes’ ball. This time it was the same catcher but off Archer’s bowling. He walked in with just under three overs to go and his final product was just not on mark. Needs to do better if he wants to stay in the lineup.
Mandeep Singh (4/10) - With a slow start at the top of the order, Mandeep was pushed down the order to allow the big hitters some more time in the middle. When he was eventually called upon, he was undone by a slower bouncer by Archer. All Mandeep could do on the ball was bottom edge it onto his stumps. Can’t really blame him for his performance today.
R Ashwin (8.5/10) - If there was any question about how much this match means to him, it was answered at the end of the first innings. His fist-bump, if I can call it that, was just as powerful as his 4-ball 17 innings. With the ball in hand, Ashwin led the side by example showing sheer discipline and match awareness. With no spin to offer, Ashwin banked on his accuracy and managed to scalp two key wickets at crucial junctures.
Mohammed Shami (4/10) - The leader of the pace attack, Mohammed Shami let the team down with his erratic line and lack of control. He gave away too many runs in crunch situations, something which is not expected from a bowler of his calibre. Although he got the wickets of Jofra Archer and Shreyas Gopal, there was hardly any consistency. His bowling oscillated between mediocrity and occasional sparks of brilliance, particularly in the last over.
Murugan Ashwin (7.5/10) - Murugan Ashwin has been the unsung hero in this KXIP line-up, he goes about his job silently and takes control of things. He has been one of the vital cogs in KXIP and have consistently slowed down the things in the middle. This time around, Ashwin was economical and squeezed the runs in a high-scoring game along with bagging the key wicket of Turner, who was well capable of inflicting massive damage.
Arshdeep Singh (7/10) - It is always pleasing to see a young domestic leg putting in the hard yards with the new ball. The talented lad impressed on his T20 debut with his pace and control, but was a touch expensive, which is bound to happen to an inexperienced bowler. He did manage to catch the big fish Buttler with the new ball and broke the Royals’ spine in this run-chase, later, he also got rid of Rahane in his final over.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman (7/10) - Mystery spinners are always a tough nut to crack; they keep the batsmen on their toes and are always on the hunt for a wicket. Mujeeb wasn’t among the wickets in this innings, but bowled well. Unfortunately, he was injured mid-way while fielding at the boundary because of which he couldn’t finish off his quota of four overs.
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