Kings XI Punjab | IPL 2019 |
Kings XI Punjab. Photo Credit: BCCI/IPL.

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) co-owner, Preity Zinta has vouched to come back stronger in the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after her team’s early exit in the eleventh edition.

Punjab started the tournament on a high, however, lost track in the latter half of the league. They lost matches on a trot, as a result of which they failed to make it to the playoffs.

Last night, in a must-win game, the Lions lost to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by five wickets at the MCA Stadium, Pune.

Punjab had the worst possible start losing the first three wickets within 16 runs. Their big guns in the form of KL Rahul and Chris Gayle were already back in the hut. However, some timely partnerships in the middle-order ensured they give something to their bowlers.

Karun Nair made amends for a bad season with a fifty while Manoj Tiwari (35) played the second handle. As a result, Punjab posted 153 runs on the board with David Miller also contributing with 24.

IPL 2018: Preity Zinta Vouches KXIP to Come Stronger in the Next Edition
Photo by: Ron Gaunt /SPORTZPICS for BCCI

South Africa seamer Lungi Ngidi was at his best, as he returned with four for 10 in his four overs. The tall and lanky pacer’s return to form will certainly boost CSK ahead of the playoffs.

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Suresh Raina got the Chennai innings going after losing the top-order early. MS Dhoni made some changes in the batting-order pushing Harbhajan Singh and Deepak Chahar up. Although Harbhajan failed to utilise the opportunity, Chahar used it to full.

The bowling all-rounder clobbered the ball to all parts of the ground scoring 39 runs off 20 balls including three sixes.

Raina’s unbeaten 61 saw his team home partnering Dhoni, who remained unbeaten on 16 runs.

IPL 2018: Preity Zinta Vouches KXIP to Come Stronger in the Next Edition
Credit: BCCI

Zinta vouches to come back stronger

After yet another disappointing season, Zinta boosted the team’s morale by saying they will come back stronger in the next season. Meanwhile, Punjab is one of the few teams, who are yet to lift the coveted trophy.

Moreover, Zinta also congratulated the four teams for making it to the playoffs.

Disappointed in the loss tonight but Congrats #csk #rr & #kkr for making it to the playoffs Its always tough when you leave it till the last game. Next year we will come back stronger @lionsdenkxip #CSKvsKXIP,” the tweet read.

Meanwhile, Punjab finished at the seventh spot with six wins from 14 games despite having a strong core group.

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