IPL 2018, Match 38, KXIP vs RR - Kings XI Punjab Player Ratings

The Kings XI Punjab got back to the winning ways after a crucial 6 wicket win over the Rajasthan Royals in Indore. This was the second game for the Kings at their new adopted home venue in Indore. After a defeat in their first game, they managed to win their second game at the venue. They beat the Royals by 6 wickets in the match that was largely a low scoring yet close affair.

With the defeat, the Rajasthan Royals have fallen in to a deeper trench. They need to win all their remaining games to stay alive in the contest this season. Coming to the game, it was the Kings XI Punjab skipper who won the toss and opted to bowl first. The Royals kept losing wickets at regular intervals and opener Jos Buttler found no help from the other end. Some late hitting from Shreyas Gopal propelled the RR total to 152 in their 20 overs.

In the run chase, the Kings also had a disappointing start. After two quick wickets, KL Rahul and Karun Nair rebuilt the innings. While Nair perished soon after, it was Rahul who guided the run chase to perfection. He remained unbeaten on 84 to steer his side over the line on the day. The Kings notched up a 6 wicket win in the game.

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

KL Rahul – 9.5/10

KL Rahul was the star of the show for the Kings XI Punjab in the match. Rahul singlehandedly won the game for his side. On a track on which no batsman found it easy to get going, KL Rahul scored an unbeaten 84 to guide his team to a victory. His knock came off just 54 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes to his name.

Chris Gayle – 1/10

Chris Gayle was expected to give the fiery start to the Kings run chase on the day. But the big Jamaican felt the heat of Jofra Archer early on in the game. He was dismissed on 8 by Archer in the fourth over of the match. This is the first major failure for Gayle this season.

Mayank Agarwal – 2/10

Mayank Agarwal’s terrible run in the IPL 2018 continued this season. He has been in such fine form this domestic season but has largely disappointed in the IPL. He perished after hitting a good shot in the game. He was caught by Rahul Tripathi off the bowling of Ben Stokes on 2 in the match.

Karun Nair – 5/10

The run chase felt some serious pressure with the likes of Chris Gayle and Mayank Agarwal heading back to the pavilion cheaply. KL Rahul, who was looking decent at the other, needed some support from the other. It was Karun Nair who provided the good support to Rahul. He scored a crucial 31 off 23 balls with a couple of fours and a couple of sixes.

Axar Patel – 6/10

Axar Patel had a very good opportunity to prove his worth with the bat this season. Patel, who has been disappointing with the bat thus far, was promoted at number 5. But the all-rounder could only score 4 runs. With the ball, he had impressed earlier in the game though. In the four overs that he bowled, he returned with figures of 1/21. He took the key wicket of Ajinkya Rahane.

Marcus Stoinis -6.5/10

After the dismissal of Karun Nair and Axar Patel in quick succession, the Kings XI Punjab needed someone to play the second fiddle to Lokesh Rahul. Marcus Stoinis proved to be the ideal partner for Rahul. Stoinis scored a handy unbeaten 23 off 16 deliveries to provide support to Rahul. With the ball, he bowled just one over and returned with 6 runs.

Manoj Tiwary – Not Assigned

Manoj Tiwary did not get a chance to bat in the game. His services with the ball were not needed. On the field, he was very good and showed some exceptional skills.

Andrew Tye – 8/10

Andrew Tye has certainly been the most successful bowler for the Kings this season. Tye continued his good form with the ball and bowled exceptionally well in the death overs. He returned with figures of 2/24 in the four overs that he bowled. He accounted for the wickets of Rahul Tripathi and Sanju Samson.

Ravichandran Ashwin – 5/10

Ravichandran Ashwin started off the proceedings with the ball for the Kings XI Punjab. Ashwin dismissed D Arcy Short in the very first over of the match. He finished with figures of 1/30 in the four overs that he bowled in the match.

Ankit Rajpoot – 4/10

Ankit Rajpoot had a dream game a few nights ago when he picked up a five wicket haul. Since then, he has failed to replicate his efforts. He could only pick up one wicket in the match. He gave away 37 runs in the three overs that he bowled on the day.

Mujeeb Rahman – 9/10

Mujeeb Rahman was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts in the match. Rahman returned with figures of 3/27 to his name in the four overs that he bowled. He dismissed Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer in quick succession in the game. Also, he dismissed Jos Buttler at the crucial point in the game.

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