IPL 9, Match 36: KXIP v DD - 5 Talking Points

Marcus Stoinis played a massive part as the Kings XI Punjab stayed in the hunt for a playoffs spot courtesy of an impressive 9-run win over the Delhi Daredevils at Mohali. Among the impressive performances on the night, Marcus Stoinis was perhaps the most impressive of the lot with a brilliant half century as well as a three-wicket haul, something that the Kings have been longing for since the beginning of the season.

1. Marcus Stoinis springs a surprise:

Eyebrows raised when most of the Kings XI fans at the vast expanse of the PCA Mohali saw Marcus Stoinis made his way out to the middle. It was one of those rare occasions where someone like Stoinis was opening the innings with his skipper Murali Vijay. However, what surprised one and all was his impeccable composure as well as his ability to smack the ball a long way. He slammed 52 off just 44 deliveries including 3 boundaries and 2 sixes, laying the perfect launching pad for the Kings XI.

2. Hashim Amla makes IPL debut:

With stability a massive need for the Kings XI Punjab, the KXIP management called upon one of the best players in the world. Hashim Amla, the South African assassin was drafted into the side following an untimely injury to their alpha and omega Shaun Marsh. Amla made his much awaited IPL debut when he replaced Murali Vijay who had just departed. However, he failed to make any contribution of weight after he was run out by old dog Zaheer Khan.

3. Wriddhiman Saha rediscovers lost touch:

Wriddhiman Saha has been unable to replicate the form he showed the previous season thus far. However, on the night against the Daredevils, Saha seemingly re-found his massive ball hitting prowess. All those shots that failed to clear the fence all season long, seemed to have found their ways into the stands with relative ease. The 30-year old wicketkeeper-batsman was the anchor weighing down a decent score for the Kings as he smashed a well-made half-century. When he was eventually dismissed, the score to his name read 52 off 33 balls including 7 boundaries.

4. Quinton de Kock back to business:

It is no secret that each time Quinton de Kock comes out to play for the Delhi Daredevils, he makes the most of it. This time around, the Proteas southpaw failed to disappoint. He began attacking all the Kings XI bowlers and dispatched them into his favorite off-side boundary with monotonous regularity. He laid the perfect foundation for the Daredevils chase with a magnificent half-century. He slammed 52 off just 30 deliveries with 6 boundaries and 2 sixes.

5. Sotinis stars once again with the ball:

In 1981, Ian Botham played a magical role with both bat and ball to snatch the Ashes from the grasp of the Australians. Although this wasn’t as big an event, Marcus Stoinis stepped up to the plate when it mattered the most. Apart from his magnificent half-century with the bat, Stoinis’ performance with the ball wasn’t over yet. Of course, he concede 40 runs in his quota of 10 overs, but that’s the essence of T20 innit? He dismissed the vicious Quinton de Kock, Sanju Samson, and the dangerous Sam Billings as the Kings virtually secured victory in the opening overs of the match.

How did the match pan out? – IPL 9, Match 36 DD v KXIP Review: KXIP hand DD their second defeat