Published: Apr 11, 2015, 11:06 AM (IST)
Edited: Apr 11, 2015, 11:06 AM (IST)
Kings XI Punjab’s (KXIP’s) first outing in the brand new edition of the Indian Premiere League (IPL) didn’t start the way they hoped as the team lost to Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 26 runs at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium (MCA) in Pune on Friday. Chasing a challenging total of 162 at MCA, skipper George Bailey opted for changes in the batting order and now feels it backfired big-time, costing the match dearly for the team as Wriddhiman Saha was sent at number three and Axar Patel came to bat at number five ahead of David Miller.
“We could have taken a few opportunities, but I was happy at the half-way mark. A couple of run-outs hurt. We changed the batting order a bit and in hindsight that was not a good idea,” Bailey was quoted in a report from Press Trust of India (PTI).
Though the batters disappointed the team, Bailey was happy with his team’s bowling performance and also praised the way his Australian teammates Steven Smith and James Faulkner batted.
“Pretty happy with the way we went with the ball. “Steven Smith batted beautifully and James Faulkner batted well as well,” the KXIP skipper said.
Debutant Deepak Hooda and Faulkner rescued RR with a 51-run partnership, who were wobbling at 75 for 5 at one point of time and skipper Smith lauded the duo saying, “Hooda in his first game played brilliantly. Faulkner also played well. It was nice to get over the top of them.”
Smith took the leadership role as regular skipper Shane Watson missed the opening RR game due to injury.
“I am sure he will be fine. We will get our combination right and it is nice to get a win under our belt early on,” he said when asked about Watson.
It was Australia’s World Cup finale hero Faulkner’s all-round show again, that helped RR clinch the first game in their favour against KXIP.
”I just back my T20 cricket to be honest. It was nice to see Hooda show a lot of confidence in his first game,” the left-arm pacer said.
