IPL 2020, KXIP vs SRH – Who Said What: The Work Done is Always Behind The Scenes Says KL Rahul After 5th Win

The 43rd match of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was played between the Kings XI Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. SRH captain David Warner has decided to bowl after winning the toss. The Punjab team, batting first, scored 126 runs, losing 7 wickets in 20 overs. Chasing the target, the Hyderabad team was all out for 114 runs and Punjab won the match by 12 runs. 

Even though the match was low-scoring, the batting of both the teams looked very slow and the thrill continued till the end of the match. Following this win, Punjab based franchise registered their fifth win in 11 matches and the team has currently reached number five in the points table with 10 points. At the same time, Hyderabad has suffered the 7th defeat in as many matches and has 8 points. 

SunRisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner (35) and Jonny Bairstow (19) gave a quick start but after their departure, the middle order didn’t cooperate and got all out in the 19.5 overs. Manish Pandey contributed 15 and Vijay Shankar contributed 26 runs for their team. Apart from them, no Hyderabad batsman could touch the figure of ten. Punjab pacer Arshdeep Singh and Chris Jordan took 3-3 wickets, while Mohammed Shami, Murugan Ashwin and Ravi Bishnoi got 1-1 wickets. 

Winning Skipper, KL Rahul’s Reaction:

“We are making it a habit. Winning is a habit, which we didn’t find in the first half. Honestly, I’m speechless. Everybody’s chipped in. Low-scoring games are when you realise the importance of those 10-15 runs scored by batsmen, those diving stops and those tight overs. The work done is always behind the scenes. Not just the players but the support team. You can’t change a lot in tow months but all these guys have pushed the boys to be better and better. Even when we were sitting on the bottom of the table we didn’t panic. We kept scrapping and we’re really happy that the wins are coming. I think after I and Mandeep played the first over itself we knew it wasn’t going to e a high-scoring pitch. We were thinking 160-170. The openers have the freedom to score and I think that’s what happened with SRH as well. I was hoping we didn’t give anything above 40 in the first six, so I was positive and the team was positive. The work Arsheep has done behind the scene. Me and the coaching team, before the tournament began, discussed what are the things we’d need for the bowlers. Arsh, the way he’s bowled in pressure situations will give him a lot of confidence.”

Losing Skipper, David Warner’s Reaction:

“Yeah, it does hurt. Our bowlers did a fantastic job to restrict them. After our start, we took the foot of the pedal. Disappointed. We felt on that wicket spin would get tough to play. We bowled well with the new ball, didn’t get wickets at the start. Just got to forget this game and move on. We have to start again next match.”

Player of the Match, Chris Jordan’s Reaction:

“Feel great, proud of the team. We had a tough start, but we kept our belief. It’s part and parcel of life to miss a few. The coaches and the teams are trying their best to get the best combination, to win four in a row is really pleasing. Arshdeep backed his skills and it’s come off. I just tried to support him to make it clear for him. I just tried to bowl a quiet over to give Arshdeep as much as I could to defend.”