IPL 2019 | Destiny in KXIP's hands to qualify for playoffs, says Mike Hesson
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After Kings XI Punjab’s loss against Delhi Capitals, Mike Hesson has stated the the side’s destiny is in their own hands. KXIP are currently placed in a precarious position on the points table, having won five out of ten matches played until now, they only have four more matches left.
Kings XI Punjab had started off their Indian Premier League campaign on an excellent note last year as they had won five out the first six matches but could only manage one win in the final six matches. Even this year, they are walking on thin ice as they are placed at the fourth position of the points table. Post the victory against Rajasthan Royals on April 16, the Ravichandran Ashwin-led side were handed a five-wicket defeat by Delhi Capitals in Saturday’s encounter. The head coach Mike Hesson reasoned that the side’s destiny is in their own hands and was positive about coming on top in the upcoming four games.
“We've actually played pretty well. So, I think we're still sitting fourth and our destiny is in our own hands. I think when you come to the back-end of the tournament, that's what you want and you know if you play well, you give yourself a good chance of winning,” said Hesson, at the post-match press conference, reported CricketNext.
KXIP kept losing wickets at regular intervals but a fiery knock of 69 off 37 deliveries from Chris Gayle's bat and contributions from Mandeep Singh and Harpreet Brar ensured that they reach a respectable total of 163. However, they eventually lost the match with just two balls remaining, courtesy a quickfire fifty from Shikhar Dhawan and an uneaten fifty from Shreyas Iyer. Nevertheless, the coach was delighted with the team’s efforts in an away encounter.
“We gave ourselves a decent chance tonight and I'm pretty proud in terms of the way we hung in there during challenging conditions,” expressed the 44-year-old.
KXIP have four more games to play among which two are away games against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad. The final two matches will be played at home against Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings.
