IPL 2020: 3 Mistakes committed by the losing side in KXIP vs RR

Kings XI Punjab’s winning streak finally came to an end as Rajasthan Royals comprehensively defeated them. KXIP were invited to bat first and the batted brilliantly with Chris Gayle‘s stunning 99 and KL Rahul’s responsible innings. However, the pitch stayed the same and RR found it easy to chase down 186 with the help of a destructive fifty from Ben Stokes.

It can be said that KXIP could have scored more freely or some early wickets could have restricted RR. Regardless, this defeat has opened the qualification scenarios even more and both KXIP and RR are still alive in the competition. KXIP will face CSK in their next game and it is going to be a must-win encounter for them.

Here are the three mistakes committed by KXIP against RR:-
1. KL Rahul’s slow knock hurt KXIP
Much like the previous meeting of these two sides, KL Rahul played a supporting role in KXIP innings. However, his scoring rate was extremely low as he was trying to bring Chris Gayle on strike. It is well known that Rahul himself is a clean striker of the ball and the KXIP skipper should have backed himself. His strike rate of 112 hurt KXIP majorly as they missed out on scoring 200.

2. Chris Gayle’s running between the wickets
Chris Gayle played an amazing inning and slammed massive sixes in his memorable knock. However, he was extremely slow in his running between the wickets and that led to KXIP’s score getting a toll. In the 63 balls that he faced, he scored 72 runs of the boundaries but scoring mere 27 runs off the other 49 deliveries cost KXIP immensely.

3. Using leg-spinner against Ben Stokes in the powerplay
Ben Stokes is in amazing form and won the last game for RR single-handedly. As he was batting well in the first three overs, KL Rahul played a gamble and brought in Murugan Ashwin for the fourth over. However, the move backfired as Stokes blasted two huge sixes in his over to score 16 runs. This move gave RR the much-needed momentum as well which they never lost. Considering that Stokes is a left-hander, using a leg spinner in the powerplay against him was an absolute blunder.