Glenn Maxwell wants Kings XI Punjab to replicate their performance against KKR in MI clash

Kings XI Punjab skipper Glenn Maxwell lauded his team’s performance on Tuesday against KKR and hoped to replicate it when they face the Mumbai Indians. The first of three must-win games went in favour of the Kings XI Punjab, who did a mighty good job of defending 168 against dominant chasers Kolkata Knight Riders.

Maxwell himself struck form with a handy 25-ball 44. He smashed 4 sixes during his innings, propelling the KXIP total close to the 170-run mark. Chasing 168, pinch-hitter Sunil Narine and the devastating Chris Lynn got KKR off to a flyer. The openers were in the mood to repeat their blitzkrieg at the Chinnaswamy.

Nevertheless, Maxwell used his spinners tactfully, who changed the complexion of the game. The captain was all praises for his spin trio of Axar Patel, Swapnil Singh and Rahul Tewatia, whose stifling overs in the middle stages swung the game in favour of the Kings XI Punjab.

“Spinners came into the game. Rahul Tewatia bowled well; he got the ball to spin (about when they came back in the game). We were able to stop the bleeding of runs, with the dot balls and conceding not too many boundaries,” Glenn Maxwell said.

“I thought the score was about par…we left ourselves little bit short. Maybe 10-15 short. We need to have the top few batters to fire and the rest to bat around,” he added.

Unlike the Kolkata Knight Riders, who have looked rather sloppy on the field across this season, the Punjab fielded excessively well. Rocket throws from the outfield and stunning catches in the deep meant the bowlers were backed by their fielders excellently. In particular, Axar Patel shone on Tuesday night with a screamer to dismiss in-form Robin Uthappa and a crucial run-out that saw Chris Lynn short of his crease.

“I asked for an improved performance in the field and I got it. Axar led by example by taking those catches and with that run-out. Hopefully we can do this in the last two games and give the people of Punjab something to cheer about,” Maxwell said after the match at the presentation ceremony.

“We backed our plans, which we have been asking of ourselves. They (the pacers at the end) were the calmest of the night. They knew what they wanted to do. The bowlers did their job, the fielders did their job. We are hanging by the skin of our teeth. It would be nice to win a toss now and then,” the Australian added.

The Kings XI Punjab still need two wins from their remaining games against the Mumbai Indians and the Rising Pune Supergiant in order to sneak into the playoffs.