IPL 2018 | KL Rahul, Karun Nair electrified by the Gayle Storm, says Viv Richards

05/04/2018

Viv Richards has stated that Chris Gayle’s performance has a huge impact on the players like KL Rahul and Karun Nair and that has also eventually helped Kings XI Punjab soar up on the points table. He has also added that Punjab are having one of the best outings in the 11-year journey of the IPL.

Sitting at the third place on the table at present, Kings XI Punjab have earned their points with the excellent performances of Chris Gayle, who has hit a stunning 252 runs that includes 23 sixes. The run-count for the team is kept at a good high with contributions from KL Rahul and Karun Nair which made their journey smoother. Rahul has had a good run so far in this season with 268 runs in 7 matches and Nair also brings a good spirit with him by scoring a total of 186 runs in 7 matches which includes a game-changing 50 against Delhi Daredevils.

And legendary Windies batsman Sir Vivian Richards expressed his commendations for the great performance of the team so far this season and stated that players like Rahul and Nair are seemingly fueled by Gayle’s performance.

“Kings XI never held back and have brought something new to the pitch each game under the able captaincy of Ashwin; whether it’s a Gayle storm or KL Rahul’s smart innings or young Ankit Rajpoot’s five-for.

“The boys have given their hundred percent on the field. Gayle’s power-show in this IPL has been satisfying to watch, especially after him being left unsold twice in the auction, which has inspired him to ignite the fire inside. Players like Karun Nair and KL Rahul seem to derive that energy from the Jamaican. It will be fabulous to see Punjab make it all the way to the top, post their struggles over these past few seasons,” Richards wrote in his column for TOI.

While most of the teams suffered the problems of retaining three marketable players, Punjab decided to let their basket empty and didn’t retain anyone apart from Axar Patel ahead of the mega-auction in January. The strategy helped them go to the auction table with a fresh mind and as a result, they could garner players with all bases covered. And Richards feels that the shrewd team composition is helping the Mohali-based team at the moment.

“Punjab has been part of the IPL for all eleven seasons and this has been one of their best outings until now. Currently third on the table, the boys are bound to be proud of themselves. Sehwag made the right decisions by revamping the squad, choosing the apt players they wanted during the auction. For a side that has seemed to struggle in the past, Ashwin and his boys have found their groove pretty early this season.”

Punjab will be facing Mumbai Indians this evening, hoping for another win which, if it happens, will be a fiasco for the heavily injured defending champions. Mumbai haven’t had a very positive run with their current predicament and one loss could get them out of the tournament. Richards stated that the team just hasn’t found the rhythm yet.

“Mumbai, on the other hand, have always succeeded towards the second half of the IPL, but this year hasn’t been easy for them. They just don’t seem to have found their rhythm yet. No denying that there have been spectacular moments of cricket they have played with their fielding being extraordinary at times, still, they seem to miss the magical winning touch. With a top squad on paper, Mumbai can look at the positives from the previous seasons and find the winning formula to live up to the expectations of their fans,” pointed out Richards.

IPL 2018 | KL Rahul, Karun Nair electrified by the Gayle Storm, says Viv Richards

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