IPL: Happy we could get over the line, says KL Rahul after match-winning 67 vs KKR
KL Rahul was relieved of his captaincy after his team crossed the line in the final against Kolkata Knight Riders to win by 5 wickets and keep the Punjab Kings in the hunt for a playoff in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 on Friday.
Rahul played another captain’s knock, scoring 67 off 55 balls to help PBKS chase down 166 against KKR with 3 balls to spare in Match 45 in Dubai.
Rahul was looking to finish the match but got out in the final over with 4 needed off the last 3 balls. Fortunately for Punjab, big-hitting batsman Shahrukh Khan maintained his composure and finished the match with a six in the very next delivery after his captain’s dismissal.
“We are used to this, but I’ll take the two points. We played brilliantly and smartly. We realised it was a decent wicket. There wasn’t much spin. The bowlers felt we can make the batsmen sideways… Really happy that we could get over the line,” Rahul said after taking his Player of the Match award.
Rahul went on to add that a win like this will give them the much-needed confidence heading into its business-end of the tournament.
“This win will give us confidence and hopefully we’ll build on it. Often times, we have put pressure on ourselves… Everybody knows we are a far better team. Putting pressure on ourselves is not helping. These four games in the UAE have a perfect example. It is a good learning for a young team like us,” Rahul added.
PBKS are now tied on 10 points with KKR and MI but moved up a place over the defending champions thanks to their superior net run rate.
Punjab’s win also helped Delhi Capitals become the second team to qualify for the playoffs after Chennai Super Kings which means 5 teams will now be fighting for the last 2 spots this season.
