IPL 2019: Match 55, KXIP vs CSK – Kings XI Punjab Player Ratings

The Kings XI Punjab managed to savour some pride in the 2019 edition of the IPL as they beat the Chennai Super Kings in their final league game of the season. The stage was set in Mohali for the marquee clash as a lot was on a stake in the match for the two sides. While KXIP were playing for pride and to avoid the wooden spoon, CSK played the game to ensure that they finished in the top two in the points table.

At the end of the day, both teams managed to get what they wanted. CSK ensured that they will finish among the top two sides in the season, and KXIP registered a 6 wicket win. Earlier in the game, KXIP won the toss and opted to field first. Sam Curran drew first blood to dismiss Shane Watson early in the game. Suresh Raina and Faf du Plessis then stitched a 120-run stand for the second wicket as CSK went on cruising.

While Raina hit 53 off 38 deliveries, Faf du Plessis finished with 96 off 55 balls. For the Kings, Curran was the pick of the bowlers with 3/35 to his name, as CSK finished with 170/5 in their 20 overs. In the run chase, KL Rahul set the ground on fire with a whirlwind 19-ball fifty. Rahul, who has been in sublime for this season, added 108 runs for the first wicket with Chris Gayle to set the perfect tone for the run chase for the hosts.

Rahul top scored with 71 as KXIP beat CSK by 6 wickets in just 18 overs. Nicholas Pooran played a handy cameo of 36 runs, while Gayle contributed with 28.

Here are the KXIP Player Ratings for the match

KL Rahul – 9.5/10

KL Rahul looked in supreme form in this match. He was a man on a mission and had his plans sorted as KXIP walked out to chase a modest total. He took the attack to the opposition right from the word go and hammered 55 runs in the powerplay — all by his own. This is now the record for most runs in a powerplay in this year’s IPL.

Rahul notched up a brisk fifty in just 19 deliveries — the third fastest this season, and eventually finished with 71 off just 36 balls with 7 fours and 5 sixes to his name.

Chris Gayle – 6/10

It is not an everyday story to see Chris Gayle being outclassed by another batter. It was this case in Mohali today. Gayle was happy to play the supporting role as KL Rahul went berserk in the run chase. While Rahul found sublime form, Gayle just could not get going. He finished with a run-a-ball 28 before getting dismissed by Harbhajan Singh.

Mayank Agarwal – 1/10

With KL Rahul and Chris Gayle back in the hut in the space of 2 balls, the onus was on the KXIP middle-order to take the side over the line in the run chase. Mayank Agarwal had his final opportunity of the season. He failed to capitalise on the chance that came his way and perished shortly after having arrived at the crease. He scored 7 off 6 balls.

Nicholas Pooran – 7.5/10

After having failed in the earlier opportunities that came his way this season, Nicholas Pooran has managed to show his skills in the recent fixtures. Pooran showed great skills with the bat and muscled his way to 36 in just 22 balls. This innings from Pooran saw him clobber 3 towering maximums and a couple of fours as well.

Mandeep Singh – 5/10

Mandeep Singh did not get a chance to show a lot of skills with the bat in hand. When he walked in to bat, only formalities had to be completed for KXIP to win. He remained unbeaten on 11 off 9 balls and batted sensibly to see his side over the line in the run chase of 170.

Sam Curran – 9/10

Sam Curran finished as the pick of the bowlers for KXIP in the match. He returned with decent figures of 3/35 in his quota of four overs. He provided an early breakthrough to KXIP when he dismissed Shane Watson early in the game. Later, he accounted to the wickets of Faf du Plessis and Suresh Raina too. With the bat in hand, he remained unbeaten on 6 with a winning boundary shot to his name.

Ravichandran Ashwin – 7/10

Ravichandran Ashwin continued his excellent run of form with the ball in the season. Although he failed to pick up any wicket, the KXIP skipper kept things tight at his end in the match. He bowled his complete quota of four overs and gave away only 23 runs. The fact that Ashwin bowled an economical spell despite getting no assistance from the wicket deserves some credit.

Andrew Tye – 2/10

Australian all-rounder Andrew Tye had a tough day at the office. The Aussie cricketer, who is renowned for bowling economical spells under pressure, was taken away for as many as 37 runs in his three overs. He was the most expensive bowler for KXIP in this particular game. Also, he failed to get any wicket to his name in the match.

Murugan Ashwin – 3/10

Murugan Ashwin did not have the best of nights with the ball. The leg spinner has been very impressive this season but could not find his lengths in the match. Ashwin bowled just 3 overs, and ended up giving away 33 runs. Much against his liking, he could not pick up any wicket either. The Mohali wicket usually does not assist spinners, and it was rightly evident.

Mohammed Shami – 8/10

Mohammed Shami finished the night as the most economical bowler for KXIP. Shami bowled 3 overs and gave only 17 runs at an economy of 5.67. He bowled tight lines in his first two overs but got no rewards for his efforts. In his final over, he managed to take two wickets of Ambati Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav as CSK batters tried to finish on a high.

Harpreet Brar – 3/10

Harpreet Brar got another opportunity to feature in the playing eleven in this season of the IPL. The youngster was given the new ball and he looked decent with his overs. He failed to run through the opposition batting but was good enough to not concede too many runs or let runs flow. He bowled three overs and gave 24 runs, without any wicket to his name.

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