Punjab Kings ended their IPL 2021 campaign on a high note with a consolation win against MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings on Friday in Dubai.
PBKS skipper KL Rahul smashed a blistering knock of 42-ball 98 runs at a staggering strike rate of 233.33, the opener’s innings was laced by seven fours and eight massive sixes as Punjab chased the target of 135 in 13 overs.
We’ve been doing so many great things as a team: Chris Jordan
However, the huge win for PBKS wasn’t sufficient for them to qualify for the playoffs as they ended their IPL 2021 journey with 12 points on the points table.
England pacer Chris Jordan, who returned with 2/20 in his three-over spell, said that it was a shame for them to win the game so late in the tournament.
“It is quite tough to take. We’ve been doing so many great things as a team. Our planning and everything has been on point to play a game like we did today, it’s just a shame it came so late in the tournament,” Jordan said in the post-match press conference.
“The type of performance you saw today was what we’ve been striving for the entire season, but it just didn’t quite happen. But that’s life. You obviously have to move from it as quickly as possible. However, we can still take some positives from it for every single player, and hopefully long may that type of performance continue,” he added.
KL Rahul is a world class batsman: Chris Jordan
KL Rahul shifted from Royal Challengers Bangalore to Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2018 and has been consistent at the top-order, with his frivolous form of batting against CSK was just evidence of how dangerous he could be.
KL Rahul is currently the highest run-scorer in IPL 2021 having made 626 runs from 13 innings with a strike rate of 138.80 and Jordan described him as a class batsman.
“KL is a world class batsman. It’s such a joy to watch him play. I first played with him when I was at RCB in 2016, and even then some of the shots he played I knew he was a class apart,” Jordan said.
“Even today, it felt like anytime he felt like hitting a six he just took it, no matter where the ball was. He can play in various situations and is more or less a 360 degree player as well. It’s just great to see him go out there today and lead from the front and get us over the line in a timely fashion,” said Jordan in reference to the Punjab Kings skipper,” he added.
Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore have already qualified for the playoffs with Kolkata Knight Riders looking the likeliest team to seal the fourth spot.