IPL 10: Match 26, Who Said What: Gujarat Lions v Kings XI Punjab

Gujarat Lions hosted a demoralized Kings XI Punjab side in the 26th match of the IPL. After winning the toss, Suresh Raina put the visitors into bat trying to emulate their winning formula of the previous match against the Kolkata Knight Riders. The innings started with a slight hiccup for the KXIP side with the wicket of Manan Vohra. Hashim Amla continued his good form with the bat as he stitched vital partnerships with Glenn Maxwell and Shaun Marsh.

Hashim Amla, in his own effortless manner, scored a fluent 62 runs off 40 balls with as many as 9 boundaries and a couple of maximums. Maxwell and Marsh chipped in with their quickfire innings of 31 and 30 respectively. However, Axar Patel played the defining knock of the innings. With a flurry of wickets in the middle, Axar steadied the Punjab ship and provided the much-needed impetus towards the death with his 17-ball 34 at a strike-rate of 200, which dazzled with 3 boundaries and two sixes. With the help of a final flourish from Patel and Saha, KXIP posted a daunting total of 189 in front of the home team. Andre Tye impressed yet again with the ball as he picked up a couple of wickets.

Gujarat Lions innings started off with the worst possible start with the wicket of the in-form Brendon McCullum. During their innings, the Gujarat Lions continuously lost wickets at regular intervals and were always playing catch-up cricket. Suresh Raina and Dinesh Karthik provided some sort of resistance with their respective innings. Raina looked a class apart with his 32 runs, which was laced 4 graceful boundaries. Karthik played a lone hand in the end and reached his half century. He scored an unbeaten 44-ball 58 with some sort of support from Andrew Tye.

The turning point in their innings arrived after the innings defining spells from Cariappa and Axar who picked up a couple of wickets each at an economy of 6 and 9 respectively. In the end, Gujarat Lions fell short of the required target by 26 runs. Orange Cap holder Hashim Amla was adjudged as the man of the match for his brilliant knock today.

Glenn Maxwell

An elated Punjab captain, Glenn Maxwell stated that it was eventually a good toss to lose, He also commended the efforts of Axar, Cariappa and the man of the match winner Hashim Amla. The proud captain hinted that not much is known regarding Amla’s injury.

Very good toss to lose. Wicket obviously a bit slow but our bowlers bowled really well. Classical cricket, those two were just fantastic. He has made handy contributions for some games. Cariappa, I cannot say enough. He bowled right lengths and hit the right spot. He and Axar Patel held up during the middle overs. Hopefully, we can celebrate tonight. I am not sure of actual details but he (on Amla’s injury) was very sore. The character that the guys, I am just too proud of them.

Suresh Raina

A disappointed Gujarat Lions skipper vehemently stated that the batsmen cannot chase a target of 190 odd runs every time they play and the bowlers have to deliver by not leaking too many runs. He also cited out an interesting fact about their performance in day games. He also hailed the efforts of KXIP bowlers who stemmed the flow of runs by chipping in continuously with wickets. He further commented that the team would look to regroup before their important match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

You can’t chase 190 every time. Bowlers have to do something. When I won the toss, we had the batsmen to chase a good total. We have lost all three afternoon games. It is a learning for us and the bowlers have to step up. Nathu got cramps and I had to bowl Smithy, but still the wicket was good. We kept losing lot of wickets. The bowlers are lacking confidence, they are executing in the nets but not in the match. KXIP outplayed us and credit to them. When me and Finchy were batting it was possible (to chase). They bowled really well and changed the pace cleverly. It is difficult when the bowler is changing his pace. Something for our bowlers to learn. I can’t say anything this year. We have a couple of injuries, we still are a dangerous side. We will go there (Bengaluru), have a net session and hopefully be back.

Gujrat Lions’ IPL campaign hit a major setback with this loss as they struggle in the bottom of the table with 4 points in 7 games. While Kings XI Punjab kept their hopes alive with this win. They move to the 4th position with 6 points in 7 games.