A fourth consecutive defeat at IPL 2020 has seen Kings XI Punjab fall to the bottom of the points table. After starting their campaign with a close loss to Delhi Capitals in the Super Over, Kings XI Punjab beat Royal Challengers Bangalore comprehensively by 97 runs for their first win. But since then, the team has suffered losses to the Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and now Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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While there may be certain problems plaguing the team, the only factor that cannot be hidden is the failure of key player Glenn Maxwell with the bat. In six IPL games, Maxwell has scored 1, 5, 13, 11, 11 * and 7, which are pretty poor numbers for someone of caliber. With KXIP in desperate need to prevent their slippage, former England captain Kevin Pietersen feels the team must start looking beyond Maxwell.
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“These guys (KXIP) are going to have to get something out of Maxwell. You can’t keep the place of a foreign player like this. Glenn Maxwell has not scored anything in this IPL ”, Pietersen during the comment. “Rahul does not have the support of his foreign players. Yes, Pooran scored runs today, but one player is Maxwell. Maxwell has to be sidelined or he just gets one more chance, ”he added later during the post-game show..
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There were also concerns regarding West Indies hitter Nicholas Pooran, but the left-hander dispelled them with a 77-of-37 hit, including five fours and seven sixes on Thursday in Dubai. KXIP coach Anil Kumble revealed that had it not been for a minor food poisoning issue, Chris Gayle would have played the match, meaning the explosive left-hander should be up and running for the next game. Pietersen acknowledges that to bring Gayle in, Captain KL Rahul will have to make a difficult decision and leave Maxwell out.
“It’s just about trying to talk to the players individually and trying to bring out the best in the players. But also, set your mark and say ‘this is the team I’m going to play in the next 3-4 games.’
“I’m going to Maxwell here because he hasn’t delivered. He’s a great player for that franchise. If he’s not part of the process, then you have to bring someone else, ”Pietersen said.
“And Gayle, Anil Kumble said he would have played but he had a bit of an upset stomach. So, he will have to produce some magic, but where is he going to hit? I don’t think he can hit No. 3 or No. 4 because he runs through the wicket. “
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