Yuvraj Singh consoles Kings XI Punjab after their ouster from IPL 10

It was an exceptional bowling performance by Rising Pune Supergiant in the 55th match of IPL 10 which ensured they reached the playoffs by defeating Kings XI Punjab and finished in the 2nd position just behind Mumbai Indians. Batting first, the visitors were jolted in the very first delivery of the match as Martin Guptill was sent back to the pavilion by Jaydev Unadkat.

Before getting settled two more wickets fell in quick succession as Punjab was pushed to a corner. Shardul Thakur who looked below par in the season so far came back strongly and bowled his most inspired spell by finishing with impressive figures of 3/19 in his allotted 4 overs. Adam Zampa also bagged a couple of wickets as Punjab was skittled out for a meagre 73 runs in 15.5 overs.

Former Kings XI Punjab captain Yuvraj Singh who currently plays for the Sunrisers Hyderabad expressed his disappointment at Punjab’s performance today and said he feels for Preity Zinta and his Punjab for whom he played in the first 3 season of the tournament. “Hard luck @lionsdenkxip feel for@realpreityzinta @virendersehwag and squad Pune deserved to be in qualifiers well this travelling is just……”Yuvraj said.

Hard luck @lionsdenkxip feel for@realpreityzinta @virendersehwag and squad pune deserved to be in qualifiers well this travelling is just???

— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) May 14, 2017

Yuvraj was the captain of the Punjab side for the first 3 years and remains the only bowler to go two hat-tricks in the tournament. The left arm orthodox spinner bagged both the hat-tricks in the 2009 season in South Africa. He is arguably the cleanest striker of the ball in world cricket and made a dramatic comeback in India’s limited-overs squad very recently against England.

He will be a vital batsman for India in the upcoming Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in England and Wales from 1st June. India who is the defending champions of the tournament will be hoping to defend their title under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. MS Dhoni will help the young captain out and we might see a repeat of 2013.