5 memorable moments from GL vs KXIP that don’t fade away

Gujarat Lions’ inconsistency in this year’s IPL has once again halted their progress as they lost to Kings XI Punjab by 26 runs. After winning the toss, Suresh Raina put Kings XI Punjab to bat and Hashim Amla’s wonderful start was well complemented by Axar Patel’s slog in the end.

Chasing 189, the Lions started their innings quite well, but lost their essence in the middle over and had to contend with yet another loss. Here are 5 memorable moments from the match that don't fade away, quite like the Axe Signature range of body perfumes:

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#1 Amla continues his striking form

Legendary South African batsman, Hashim Amla, continues his terrific form in the Indian Premier League 2017. It is actually a bit shocking that he only joined the IPL last season and not a lot earlier. In this year’s IPL, he has already scored 299 runs in 7 games, which makes him the highest run-getter so far.

Against Gujarat Lions, he continued his fine form by scoring 65 runs in 40 balls, hitting 9 fours and 2 sixes in the process. His fantastic start gave his team-mates the platform to launch and post a total of 188.

#2 Axar Patel’s all-round brilliance

With the ball, he took two very crucial wickets of Dwayne Smith and Suresh Raina

For every team to post a good total, someone in the batting order must slog his way in the end. For Kings XI Punjab today, Axar Patel was the man whose fiery innings in the death overs put the icing on the cake made by Amla.

Patel played a vehement innings which saw him smack 34 runs off just 17 balls. His innings consisted of 3 boundaries and 2 sixes which shot Punjab’s score to 188.

However, Axar’s contribution didn’t stop there. With the ball, he took two very crucial wickets of Dwayne Smith and Suresh Raina and ended with figures of 4-0-36-2.

#3 Nathu Singh’s bad luck

While coming on to bowl his second spell, Nathu picked up a niggle and was taken off the field

Like Steven Smith yesterday, Suresh Raina didn’t the full share of his best bowler in this game. In Raina’s case, it was Nathu Singh.

The youngster, who was representing the Mumbai Indians last season, finally got his chance to play in an IPL game as he took on the Kings XI Punjab—and he fared incredibly well on his debut. In his two overs, he gave away only 7 runs while taking 2 wickets.

But that was it! While coming on to bowl his second spell, Nathu picked up a niggle and was taken off the field.

#4 Dinesh Karthik’s valiant effort

In the IPL 2017, the former Delhi Daredevils player has been one of the most consistent players

Once upon a time, wicketkeepers were only picked on the basis of how well they performed behind the stumps. However, that trend has changed over the years and it seems as though India has some of the finest batsman-wicketkeepers in the world.

Dinesh Karthik is one of the finest of the lot.

In the IPL 2017, the former Delhi Daredevils player has been one of the most consistent players. This match showcased yet another one of his valiant innings as he scored 58 runs in 44 balls. But, alas, it went in vain.

#5 KC Cariappa’s fine spell

In the 4 overs that he bowled in this game, he gave away only 24 runs

In a high-scoring encounter, it is rarely that the bowlers that make the difference—especially if the track is a batting-friendly one. The pitch at Rajkot had a lot to offer to the batsman, but K.C.Cariappa showed that he not only has a cool name, but also some cool bowling skills.

In the 4 overs that he bowled in this game, he gave away only 24 runs while taking two wickets. He took the important wicket of Ravindra Jadeja and also based Akshdeep Nath’s scalp. But, his economy rate of 6 runs per over is what really stood out about his spell.