We wanted the win against RCB last night to get some confidence in the group: KL Rahul

Kings XI Punjab skipper KL Rahul stated after the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore last night that his side was far better than their current position in the points table. He was also full of praise for Chris Gayle, who, in his first match of the 2020 IPL, scored a half-century and took his team to the brink of victory.

Rahul said, “We are a far better side than where we are in the points table. It just got too close for comfort, happy that we crossed the line. As a group, we have been disappointing. It can get frustrating. Our skills were good, but we didn’t capitalize on the big moments. It becomes a habit – winning and not winning. There are ups and downs and this has been the roller-coaster. We wanted this win to get some confidence in the group.”

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On Chris Gayle, Rahul, who had shared a partnership of 93 to level the scores before Gayle was run out, Rahul said, “He’s (Gayle) not been feeling well in the last couple of weeks. But, he is hungry even at 41. He always wanted to play from the first day. He was training hard, he wanted to be out on the park. It was a tough call to make and not make him play. It’s important to keep the lion hungry. Wherever he bats, he’s dangerous. He’s taken it up as a challenge as well. He’ll still be intimidating.”

KXIP, having been in control of the run chase deep into the game, almost botched it up by leaving it till the last ball. But Nicholas Pooran hit a six off his first ball, the last of the match, to seal the deal for his side. Rahul said about his emotions at the time to the broadcasters at the end of the match, “I have no idea, it’s [heart beat] the highest it can be. I don’t even have words. We knew we had to scrape and get over the line.”