KXIP, Mohammed Shami, KL Rahul
Mohammed Shami [Photo-Twitter]

Kings XI Punjab skipper KL Rahul starred in their thrilling and nail-biting victory over Mumbai Indians in Dubai on Sunday. Kings XI Punjab put on a spirited display and put everything on the line to beat the defending champions as the match extended to two super overs. KL Rahul hailed Mohammed Shami for delivering six yorkers in the first super over and revealed the conversation before bowling.

Both the teams had scored 176-6 in their stipulated 20 overs as KL Rahul of Kings XI Punjab and Quinton De Kock of Mumbai Indians starred for them. However, Jasprit Bumrah did not let the opposition score more than five runs in the first super over. With Rohit Sharma and Quinton De Kock heading, Mohammed Shami had an uphill task in containing them. But he did and Rahul ran De Kock out at the striker’s end while running the second, ensuring another tie.

KL Rahul
KXIP ecstatic with the win [Photo-Twiitter]
Chris Jordan arrived to bowl the second super over, keeping Mumbai Indians down to nine an over. Mayank Agarwal and Chris Gayle sealed the deal for KXIP as they hammered two fours and a six off Trent Boult. KL Rahul conceded that a team could never prepare for super overs; hence, they have to trust the bowler and their abilities. The 28-year old revealed that Mohammed Shami was firm on delivering six yorkers and lauded the speedster for getting better with every game, acknowledging the importance of senior players stepping up.

You can never prepare for Super Overs. No team does. So you have to trust your bowler’s gut. You trust your bowler, and let them believe their instinct and gut. He (Shami) was very clear he wanted to go with six yorkers. He has been phenomenal, and keeps getting better every game. It is important that senior players win the games for the team,” Rahul told in the post-match presentation.

“We will take the two points in the end” : KL Rahul

KL Rahul
KL Rahul (Credits: Twitter)

KL Rahul admitted that KXIP should not take it deep all the time and finish the match earlier; however, conceded that the format is unpredictable. The Karnataka batsman wanted the team to get over the finish line, considering the string of losses and playing well despite being on the losing side in a few. He added that Chris Gayle coming into the team has made his job far easier. The win has lifted KXIP to the sixth spot and will next take on Delhi Capitals on Tuesday.

It is not the first time. But we don’t want to make a habit out of it. We will take the two points in the end. It doesn’t always happen the way you plan so you don’t really know how to stay balanced. I was just hoping we get over the line because the boys have been working really really hard. In the games that we have lost, even then we have played well and just not been able to get over the line. I knew Chris (Gayle) and (Nicholas) Pooran… I trust them to take down spinners. So Chris coming in has made my job easier as a batter,” he added.

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