IPL 2021: "I Was Rooting For Him To Get That Century" Admits Graeme Swann On KL Rahul

Former England spinner, Graeme Swann, lauded KL Rahul, the Punjab Kings’ skipper, for his brilliant knock against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in match 26 of IPL 2021 and revealed that he was rooting for the latter to get that century which he missed by 9 runs. Rahul’s good form against RCB continued from last year and this was a much-needed knock in the dire circumstances for Punjab this season.

Rahul’s 91 off just 57 deliveries propelled the score to 179 for the loss of 5 wickets in 20 overs for the Punjab Kings who batted first. He also is leading the race for the orange cap now with 331 runs in 7 games. Rahul could have got to his century if Punjab had wickets in hand but they lost a cluster of wickets in the middle overs after a good start. He helped the team get through the tough phase and formed an important partnership alongside Harpreet Brar with 61 runs for the sixth wicket.

“It Was A Captain’s Knock” –  Graeme Swann

Graeme Swann hailed KL Rahul for playing a captain’s knock and for grinding it out when four wickets very quickly in the middle overs. He mentioned that Punjab did not have a good time after starting really well and the onus was on Rahul to bat through the innings and take the team to a respectable total. He added that it might have cost him the well-deserved century in the end where he had to stay not out on 91 at the 20 over the mark.

“It was a captain’s knock. Because he had to weather the storm when those four wickets fell between overs 11 and 15. That was a nightmare for PBKS because they had started so well. When those wickets fell, he had to consolidate in the middle and that cost him his century in the end,”. Graeme Swann said on Star Sports

Graeme Swann Feels Punjab Had A Good Total On Board

Graeme Swann highlighted the fact how important Rahul’s innings was and hailed the way he improved his strike rate in the end overs. He admitted he is not a PBKS fan but despite that, he was rooting for Rahul to get a century. He felt that the total is really good, but he added that they were 10 runs short and haven’t got enough.

“But he picked up the pace in the end. He is one of the guys who you root for. I am not a PBKS fan, I was rooting for him to get that century in the end. But he didn’t get there. But he was brilliant. He has set what is going to be the best of the totals so far. I don’t think they have got enough, they are 10 short, but it will be a good chase,” Graeme Swann added

Punjab defended the score at the end and it was a great effort from the Punjab bowlers to get the job done and win the game by a margin of 34 runs. RCB registered their second loss this season last night against Punjab Kings in the 7 games that they have played so far this season.