IPL 2018, Match 18, KKR vs KXIP - Kings XI Punjab Player Ratings

The Kings XI Punjab are proving to be the team to beat in the IPL this season. Their herculean run in the recent few games can be largely attributed to the success of their top order. This, in all essence, refers to their openers – KL Rahul and Chris Gayle. The hard hitting dynamic duo continued their dominion in the tournament with whirlwind knocks to hand Kolkata Knight Riders a defeat in their own backyard.

Chasing a target of 191, the Kings XI Punjab needed a firm start. They got an excellent one from Rahul and Gayle, who hit their individual fifties. The star hitters posted 96 runs on the board when the rain intervention took place. The game was shortened to 13 overs, but the form of the batters was too good for the KKR bowlers to compete against in the match.

The revised target of 125 in 13 overs looked like peanuts for the onsong batsmen. The Kings registered an emphatic 9 wicket win at the Eden Gardens. Earlier in the game, the Kolkata Knight Riders had posted 191/7 in their stipulated 20 overs. Chris Lynn was the top scorer for the hosts with a well compiled 74. Skipper Dinesh Karthik had also contributed with a timely 43.

Here are the Kings XI Punjab player ratings for the match:

KL Rahul – 9.5/10

KL Rahul has been sensational with the bat in the season. The Karnataka lad had blasted the fastest fifty of the season in the first game for the Kings. And in this game, he slammed another 24-ball fifty. Rahul, along with Chris Gayle, pushed the hosts out of the game. He was dismissed in the 10th over by Sunil Narine. He scored 60 off 27 balls with 9 fours and a couple of sixes to his name.

Chris Gayle – 9.5/10

Chris Gayle looks like a man on a mission. The big Jamaican scored a fifty in his first game of the season, and then backed it up with a century in the next game. Now, in his third game, he hit yet another fifty to continue his dominion on the Orange Cap. Gayle remained unbeaten 62 off just 38 deliveries with five fours and six maximums.

Mayank Agarwal – 4/10

Mayank Agarwal did not have a lot to do in the match. He arrived at the crease with less than 10 runs needed for the win. He remained unbeaten on 2 as the Kings registered a comprehensive 9 wicket victory.

Karun Nair – 4/10

Karun Nair has been one of the most impressive batsmen for the Kings this season. However, on the day, he did not get a chance to bat. Nair showed his presence in the field though. He took three catches in the KKR innings.

Aaron Finch – Not Assigned

The services of Aaron Finch were not needed with the bat on the day. The Kings XI Punjab top order looks in sublime form at the moment.

Yuvraj Singh – 2/10

The services of Yuvraj Singh were not largely needed on the day. Yuvraj did not get a chance to bat owing to the fact that the KXIP top order made a mockery of the KKR bowling. Earlier in the game, he had bowled one solitary over to give away 13 runs.

Ravichandran Ashwin – 5/10

Ravichandran Ashwin has been spot on with his captaincy moves in the season. Yet again, he made some brilliant changes in the field to keep the opposition guessing all the time. Ashwin returned with figures of 1/33 in the match and this included the big wicket of Robin Uthappa.

Andrew Tye – 7/10

Andrew Tye has been one of the most impressive performers for the Kings XI Punjab this season. The veteran all-rounder extended his good run with the ball against the Knight Riders. He got the big wicket of Chris Lynn in the game and later dismissed Tom Curran as well. He finished with 2/30 to his name in four overs.

Barinder Sran – 5/10

Barinder Sran had bowled exceptionally well in the previous game. He had got a lot of assistance from the track in the previous match. But in this particular game, he found very little help from the track. He returned with numbers of 2/50 in his four overs. He got the wickets of Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell towards the fag end of the innings.

Ankit Rajpoot – 3/10

Ankit Rajpoot got his first chance to play for his new franchise on the day. He was roped in at the expense of Mohit Sharma. Rajpoot was picked up in the game owing to the fact that he had played for the opposition side in the previous editions of the tournament. He could not impress with the ball though, and gave away 32 runs in 3 overs.

Mujeeb ur Rahman – 6/10

Mujeeb ur Rahman continued to be the opening bowler for the Kings in this game as well. He was up against the dangerous opening duo of Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine. Mujeeb bowled exceedingly well to contain them and eventually dismissed Narine as well. He finished with figures of 1/32 in his four overs.

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