IPL 2018: Rahul, Karun feed off Gayle's energy feels Viv Richards

Former Windies legend, Sir Viv Richards feels KL Rahul and Karun Nair is feeding on the energy of the giant Chris Gayle in the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) squad.

Meanwhile, Gayle has rediscovered the touch that once made him a force to reckon with in the shortest format. Moreover, in four matches, Gayle has smashed 252 runs including 23 towering sixes.

As a result, Punjab is currently at fourth spot on the leaderboard with 10 points from seven matches.

Punjab, who is coming back from a defeat will look to return to winning ways against a depleted Mumbai Indians. Both the teams square off against each other at the Holkar Stadium on May 4 (Friday).

Rahul, Nair feed off on Gayle’s energy

Richards feels that the Jamaican’s prolific scores is the reason behind the likes of Rahul and Nair getting among the runs. He also credited Virender Sehwag for picking the right squad at the auctions.

“Punjab has been part of the IPL for all eleven seasons and this has been one of their best outings until now. Currently third on the table, the boys are bound to be proud of themselves. Sehwag made the right decisions by revamping the squad, choosing the apt players they wanted during the auction. For a side that has seemed to struggle in the past, Ashwin and his boys have found their groove pretty early this season,” Richards wrote in TOI.

Rahul, in seven matches, has 268 runs under his belt at an average of 38.32 and strike rate of over 170. More importantly, the starts he and Gayle have provided Punjab with brilliant starts.

Like Rahul, his Karnataka teammate Nair too has been crucial for KXIP in the middle order. From seven games, Nair has 186 runs @ 31 and his 50 against the Delhi Daredevils was detrimental in KXIP winning the match by six wickets.

KXIP have had a long break of six days in between their matches which will have the players get freshen up. Moreover, the franchise not reading much into the defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad last Friday and will be keen to thump a wounded Mumbai side.

This year was not easy for Mumbai

Mumbai is a slow starter in the league, however, Richards feels this year was not easy for them. Richard admits that Mumbai needs to take the possitives out from the previous season and try to bring a winning formula.

“Mumbai, on the other hand, have always succeeded towards the second half of the IPL, but this year hasn’t been easy for them. They just don’t seem to have found their rhythm yet. No denying that there have been spectacular moments of cricket they have played with their fielding being extraordinary at times, still, they seem to miss the magical winning touch. With a top squad on paper, Mumbai can look at the positives from the previous seasons and find the winning formula to live up to the expectations of their fans,” he concluded.

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