IPL 2020: 3 mistakes committed by KXIP against RR

The batting team scored 223 and the fielding side chased it, how many times have you seen that happening? The 9th game of IPL 2020 was a rollercoaster ride and it took everyone by surprise. KXIP’s batting unit looked phenomenal and they batted in amazing fashion, it looked like it is going to be a one-sided affair but Steve Smith and Sanju Samson pulled it back.

Rajasthan Royals were almost out of the contest with Rahul Tewatia struggling with the bat. They need 51 off 18 balls and then Tewatia who was batting on 17(23) showed us that life is all about not giving up. He slammed 5 sixes in one over of Sheldon Cottrell and the match changed completely. KXIP didn’t do much wrong and had several positives from the match but they could have avoided some mistakes that cost them the game.

Here are the 3 mistakes made by KXIP against RR that led to a heartbreaking defeat:

1. That one over from Sheldon Cottrell

Sheldon Cottrell was their specialist death bowler and skipper Rahul did his best to keep two of his overs for the last three. However, after going for a couple of sixes, the mighty Caribbean got under pressure and kept on bowling length and short balls to Rahul Tewatia. The southpaw was all set for the anticipated trajectory and dispatched him for five massive sixes.

2. The slow knock from KL Rahul

The skipper and the protagonist of the last game turned out to be the villain this time. With his partner, Mayank Agarwal hitting sixes for fun, Rahul decided to anchor the innings and scored 69 off 54 balls. However, the small ground and a flat pitch weren’t ideal for such a knock and his watchful approach turned out to be the reason for KXIP to fall 20 runs short, which could have been vital in such a close game.

3. Inexperienced spin bowling attack

Kings XI Punjab decided to go with Ravi Bishnoi and Murugan Ashwin as their spin bowling options. If they could have provided KXIP with a breakthrough in the middle overs, RR’s scoring rate could have been affected. With an important wicket of Samson, they could have pulled the curtains on the only hope of RR. But their inexperience turned out to be critical in such a game and KXIP lost the control of the game at the very end.