Brad Hodge blames the middle-order for their current situation of relying on other team's results

With 12 points on the points table, Kings XI Punjab stands a chance to enter the playoffs. However, they need a big win against Chennai Super Kings when they meet the number two ranked side on Sunday. Ravichandran Ashwin led side had started their tournament exceptionally well with KL Rahul showing some dominating form. Big West Indian Chris Gayle joined Rahul at the top and made things worse for the oppositions.

Interestingly, apart from the top-order, the middle-order of the side did not live up to the expectations. Kings XI Punjab coach Brad Hodge while speaking to the media ahead of the important fixture against the Dhoni-led CSK too was of the thought that his side’s middle order failure didn’t help the side’s cause while they relied on a couple of bowlers to do the job.

The side will take on MS Dhoni-led CSK who after already making it into the playoffs would love to take a winning momentum going into the playoffs. With a very poor net run rate of -0.490, the side will have to register a huge win to make a case for themselves.

Learned a lot of lessons from success and failures: Hodge

The former Australia batsman felt that the side has learned a lot this season under the new skipper. “I think this competition is extremely tough to win consistently over a long period of time. We are a new team with a new captain and we have learned a lot from lessons of success and failure,” said the 43-year old former Australia batsman.

“I think realistically, our middle order hasn’t fired as much we would have expected and we are too reliant on a couple of bowlers who have kept us in the game,” added the Kings XI head coach.

Should’ve won a couple of close games

Hodge also felt that they lost a couple of games by a close margin which they should’ve won. He added that they lacked the consistency in the tournament which has put them in a tough situation at the moment. “We haven’t had consistency across the whole IPL, where when our match-winners haven’t fired, nobody has been able to pick up the pieces.

“So, for us, I don’t think it’s going wrong, we have won 7 games like most other teams, if we would have managed to get over the line in couple other close ones then we would have been where we wanted to be but unfortunately, it didn’t happen,” said Hodge who has been seeing things for the Kings XI Punjab with the help of mentor Virender Sehwag.

As they get ready to play the final game in the league stage they will be relying on other matches as well. Talking about the same, Hodge felt that the team has put themselves in the situation. Hodge added that the side will enter the ground to make an impactful win and see If they can make it through to the playoffs.

“At the halfway mark we were in a strong position but we have tight losses and now we are in a position where we have to watch other teams but we will go about our business today in same fashion and hope we get a chance tomorrow (afternoon) to make an impact,” said Hodge.

[interaction id=”5afeedbb9aa241b3c86287ec”]

Stay updated on ‘today’s cricket news‘ with CricTracker.com.