IPL 2020: Match 6, KXIP vs RCB – Kings XI Punjab Player Ratings

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) opened their account in the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after their Super Over loss at the hands of the Delhi Capitals (DC). The team, led by KL Rahul, hammered the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 97 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

After an incredible batting show, KXIP put their A-game forward to stun their opponents. Punjab’s captain, Rahul, was in the form of his life and it can very well be said that RCB lost to him than to the Mohali-based franchise.

The Challengers must have been brimming with confidence after defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Dubai. Nevertheless, the loss to Rahul and Co would make them think ahead of their next match against Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians (MI).

Here are the KXIP Player Ratings for the KXIP vs RCB match:

KL Rahul- 9.5/10

KL Rahul registered the highest individual score by an Indian batsman in the history of the IPL. He got to his second IPL century off a mere 62 balls and ended with 132 runs off 69 balls with 14 fours and seven huge sixes. Virat Kohli dropped him a couple of times and RCB had to pay a massive price.

Mayank Agarwal- 6.5/10

Mayank Agarwal carried on from where he left against Delhi Capitals. He put on 57 with Rahul for the opening wicket off seven overs. In 20 balls, the Karnataka batter got 26 runs with four scorching boundaries. Yuzvendra Chahal cut short his stay with a vicious googly that rattled his woodwork.

Nicholas Pooran- 4/10

Nicholas Pooran had another lacklustre day after the failure against the Capitals. He came to bat at three and could only manage 17 runs at less than a run-a-ball with one four. Pooran tried to take on pacer Shivam Dube, but holed out to AB de Villiers in the covers in pursuit of playing a big shot.

Glenn Maxwell- 3.5/10

Glenn Maxwell, yet another time, failed to cross double-figures. He had the apt platform to launch an attack in the last five overs, but he failed to do so. He gave his wicket away to Dube after trying to slap the leather through the covers. He picked up the wicket of Washington Sundar though.

Karun Nair- 6.5/10

It raised a few eyebrows when Karun Nair was sent ahead of power-hitter James Neesham in the batting lineup. But he didn’t disappoint by any means. He got 15 off eight balls with a couple of fours. More importantly, he was involved in an important 78-rund stand with his captain Rahul.

James Neesham- 6/10

James Neesham didn’t get to bat after the KXIP batter dominated. But he did get a chance to bowl a couple of overs in the middle of RCB’s run-chase. In those overs, the medium fast bowler gave away only 13 runs and was accurate enough. He bowled 12 dots to show his accuracy in line and length.

Sarfaraz Khan- N/A

Mohammed Shami-8.5/10

Mohammed Shami impressive in KXIP’s opening game and he didn’t flatter to deceive even against the Challengers. In three overs, the Bengal fast bowler gave away 14 runs along with bowling 10 dot balls. He also accounted for the wicket of Josh Philippe, who couldn’t open his account in the game.

Sheldon Cottrell- 9/10

Sheldon Cottrell was absolutely stupendous to start with. He got rid of the dangerous Devdutt Padikkal and then pinned RCB captain Kohli, setting the cat amongst the pigeons in the opposition camp. He made it hard for the batters to get him away, bowling as many as 12 dot deliveries.

Ravi Bishnoi- 8.5/10

Ravi Bishnoi impressed once again with his wily leg-breaks. The youngster picked up the crucial wicket of Aaron Finch and then nipped out Washington Sundar and Umesh Yadav. The leggie went for three fours and a six, but bowled at a decent economy of eight. He also bowled 12 dot deliveries.

Murugan Ashwin- 9/10

Murugan Ashwin started his spell with the crucial wicket of AB de Villiers, who tried to, unsuccessfully, clear the cover boundary. The leg-spinner, thereafter, came back to brush off the tail. In the 17th over of the innings, he sent back Navdeep Saini and Yuzvendra Chahal to end the game.