Virender Sehwag lauds KXIP players on their win against KKR

Veteran Indian batsman, Virender Sehwag is probably one of the most positive mentors to have ever set foot in the arena of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He’s always there to encourage the youngsters, praise them and criticise them in equal measures whenever necessary. On Saturday, the ‘Prince of Najafgarh’ took to micro-blogging site, Twitter to appreciate the efforts put in by the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) lads against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a rain-affected match.

KXIP won the match against KKR in the Duckworth-Lewis Method, following a curtailed match due to heavy rain at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Both the openers, KL Rahul and Chris Gayle contributed heftily into the winning cause. With this win, KXIP now sit at the top of the points table, with 8 points to their name.

KXIP defeats KKR in a rain-curtailed game

Having won the toss, the R Ashwin-led side chose to field first. Put into bat, the KKR side started off well, aided by Chris Lynn’s heroics with the bat that added 74 runs to total off just 41 deliveries. Both Robin Uthappa and KKR skipper, Dinesh Karthik chipped in but were unable to convert their knocks into substantial ones. Some excellent bowling put up by the KXIP bowling unit at the last leg of the KKR innings ensured that the hosts were restricted to 191 runs where they’d looked way more lethal in the beginnings.

KXIP mentor, Virender Sehwag was quick to appreciate KXIP’s efforts in the match and pointed out the ones worthy of praise in his tweet. He lauded the bowling unit of the Punjab team, especially Andrew Tye, who picked up 2 crucial wickets while conceding 30 runs in his quota of 4 overs. Sehwag also heaped praise on their openers, Rahul and Gayle and concluded by expressing his hopes for the KXIP juggernaut to maintain the current momentum.

Here’s what Virender Sehwag tweeted:

Another clinical performance. Great job by the bowlers in the last 6-7 overs. Tye was brilliant, then @klrahul11 and @henrygayle doing what they do best. In this format ,Momentum Zindabad and hope we continue with it. #KKRvKXIP

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 21, 2018

The match between the two top sides of the tournament was bound to be an exciting one but was unfortunately halted by rain in the middle of the second innings. According to the D/L Method, KXIP’s target was reduced to 125 runs in 13 overs and they had to get 29 runs from 28 balls after the brief break provided by the showers. KL Rahul was adjudged the Player of the Match for his knock worth 60 runs off 27 balls.

[interaction id=”5adb628497146f027d3a2c27″]