I should take the blame for KXIPs poor show says Sanjay Bangar

I should take the blame for KXIPs poor show says Sanjay Bangar: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) is right at the bottom of the table with six defeats in eight matches, and nothing but a ‘miracle’ can take the team into the playoffs here on. The coach Sanjay Bangar is admits the fact that it is not one or two guys who let them down but a collective failure of the team.

Bangar answering the reporters after KXIPs 9 wickets loss to Delhi Daredevils (DD) said, “No one has clicked and that’s why we are in this position. But there is no reason why tide can’t be turned. If I was given credit for last year’s good show, I should take the blame for this year’s poor show too.”

At the same time he is hopeful that something might lift them, and that at this juncture they are not looking far but taking one game at a time. “Miracles do happen. There have been occasion and teams have turned it around. We will take one game at a time and we expecting a turn around,” Bangar said.

While the exclusion of the Aussie Big Show Glenn Maxwell and Indian test opener Murali Vijay from the XI was confusing for many Bangar had the answer ready, he said, “Marsh and Miller have won us the games and Bailey too has contributed. Unfortunately someone had to miss out and it was Maxwell.”

“Vijay got seven opportunities in a row but could not give us good starts. Viru (Virender Sehwag) being the local boy here knew the conditions, so he was picked,” Bangar explained the logic behind the decision making.

He further went on to justify the selection saying, “We saw the wicket was low and slow and we though Thisara Perera’s batting would be handy and he can bowl wicket-to-wicket. That was the reason for his inclusion,”

The Punjab team now heads to Mohali for the next game, the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium is supposed to be their home ground. Do they feel playing at home might well change the fortunes for them, the Kings XI Punjab coach said, “You need to play good cricket to end up on the winning side.”