Following
the controversy surrounding the BCCI and Lalit Modi in 2010, the Indian Premier
League announced on in Oct 2010 that it
had terminated the franchise contracts of Kings XI Punjab and the Rajasthan
Royals. The teams announced that they would take legal action to remain in the
Indian Premier League. Initially, the team tried to negotiate a solution with
the league, but when one could not be reached, they decided to file a case in
Mumbai High Court accusing the IPL of getting rid of the two teams so that when
the bidding process would start for the 2012 IPL season, the contract would be
given to a more lucrative bidder. Kings XI Punjab was reinstated with the involvement
of the High Court.
The Kings XI
Punjab (KXIP) is based out in Mohali
(Chandigarh CR), Punjab, jointly owned
by Mohit Burman, Ness Wadia, Preity Zinta and Karan Paul. The team plays its
home matches at the PCA Stadium, Mohali. Since the 2010 IPL, they also have
been playing some of their home games at either Dharamsala or Indore. Fairly
big contingent of think-tank : Director
of cricket operations and head coach: Anil Kumble; Assistant coach: Andy
Flower; Batting coach: Wasim Jaffer;
Bowling coach: Charl Langeveldt;
Fielding coach: Jonty Rhodes; Team physio: Andrew Leipus; Trainer: Adrian Le Roux.. .. ..
Anil Kumble
was happily chatting with his commentary-mates of Dugout and said – ‘every year
all will speak of Kings in the Finals (meaning Chennai Super Kings)- hopefully,
this year, it would be Kings X1 Punjab !!
What a performer
he is ! - “He (Gayle) should never
retire. He is always in great touch. I have never seen him struggle. He is
probably the greatest T20 player ever,” Kings XI Punjab batsman Mandeep Singh
said recently on his admiration for the longevity of Chris Gayle in T20
format. His performance reads : 99 off
mere 63 balls – 8 sixers ! against RR today; 51 Vs KKR; 20 Vs Sun Risers; 29 Vs
DC; 24 vs MI & 53 Vs RCB – total of 276 in 6 innings !!
No one has
produced quite the contrasting campaign in the Indian Premier League 2020 than
Kings XI Punjab. From losing six matches in a row, the 2014 finalists have
staged a remarkable campaign winning their next five games, and in the process,
kept their hopes for a place in the playoffs alive. With 12 points from 12 games,
KXIP are placed fourth on the points table and with three placed still left,
the franchise will be hoping to cap off a memorable league phase with wins in
their remaining two games.
At the start
of their match today – KX1 had played 12 – won 6 lost 6 Points 12, NRR -0.049. Remaining matches: vs Royals, Super
Kings. The Knight Riders' loss has given
some wriggle room to several teams, and Kings XI are among them. While two wins
will definitely take them into the playoffs - they could even finish among the
top two - even with 14 points they now have a better chance of making the cut
because their NRR of -0.049 is much better than that of the Knight Riders and
the Royals - two of the other teams which can finish on 14. Even if they lose to the Royals today, Kings
XI can still qualify if they win their last game and if other results go their
way. Currently, Sunrisers have a much better NRR, so Kings XI wouldn't want
them to win their last two games and get to 14.
.. ..
perhaps one man who has changed their wheel of fortune is Chris Gayle and why
was he kept out earlier sounds so illogical !!
Chris Gayle's gutsy knock and a cameo by Nicholas Pooran powered
Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) to 185 runs against Rajasthan Royals here at Sheikh
Zayed Stadium today. KXIP smashed 14 runs both in the 18th and 19th over
respectively. The run-scoring was largely powered by Gayle as he smashed 99
runs off 63 balls. The 'Universe Boss' also completed 1000 sixes in the T20
cricket. Meanwhile, Pooran scored 22 runs off 10 balls.
However,
Jofra Archer ended Gayle stint at the crease as the 'Universe Boss' missed his
century by a run. After getting out Gayle sent his bat flying, then shook hands
with Archer. Put into bat, KXIP got off to the worst possible start with
Mandeep Singh back in the hut in the very first over. Gayle then joined skipper
KL Rahul and started whacking boundaries. The 'Universe Boss' started off from
where he left the other day. With 14 runs coming in the sixth over, KXIP
smashed 53 runs in the powerplay. Gayle continued his onslaught as KXIP got
over the 100-run mark in the 13th over. Meanwhile, the left-handed Gayle completed
his 31st IPL half-century as Rahul continued to play the role of second fiddle.
Ben Stokes
dismissed Rahul in the 15th over as a 120-run stand for the second wicket came
to an end. Pooran, who came into bat at number four, whacked two sixes as KXIP
looked to finish on a big note. The duo continued to whack the ball as KXIP
smashed 14, 11, and 14 runs in the 16th, 17th, and 18th over respectively.
However, a stunning catch by Rahul Tewatia ended Pooran's cameo in the 18th
over. In the end, KXIP scored 185 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Brief Score:
KXIP 185/4 [Chris Gayle 99(63), KL Rahul 46(41), Ben Stokes 2-32, Jofra Archer
2-26] (ANI)
Way back in
Apr 2013, Gayle then playing for RCB took a single off the very first ball and the
first over was otherwise uneventful, though a wide 4 came. The 2nd over it was Hanuma Vihari (who ?) the
offie……….. was it a plan or putting someone on the altar ? - and off the very first ball in IPL on his
debut…………. he got the prize wicket of Chris Gayle – caught behind – a faster
one, bounced slightly, Gayle went for a cut of a delivery that was too close and
the mighty Gayle was on his way back…. unbelievable……….
For records
Chris Gayle has 7214 test runs from 103 matches with 15 tons and 98 sixers;
10480 ODI runs in 301 matches 331 sixers and 1627 T20I runs with 105
sixers. Today he has another absolutely
incredible! feat .. .. … Chris Gayle has now hit 1000 (ONE
THOUSAND) sixes in Twenty20 cricket ~ and which
Cricketing brain thought it fit to keep him on the bench on the first 7 matches
of this season ??
30.10.2020 @ 10.oopm
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