IPL 2018, KXIP vs SRH: 3 things that went right for KXIP

The 16th match of IPL 2018 concluded as Kings XI Punjab emerged victorious after defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad by 15 runs.

KXIP had to struggle during the initial overs of their innings and could score only 49 runs in six overs. However, after the first few overs, Chris Gayle found his momentum in the game and helped his team reach the massive total of 193 runs.

The star of the match, Gayle also scored the first century of the 11th edition of the IPL taking his own IPL tally to six centuries. Sunrisers Hyderabad faced their first defeat of the tournament and are now at the second spot on the points table.

While there are many things that account for Punjab's victory, let us look at the three main things that went right for them in their win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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#3 Overseas players did well for them

Andrew Tye has enjoyed his best evening with the Lions

Kings XI Punjab decided to play with the same line-up as of their previous match and had Chris Gayle, Aaron Finch, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Andrew Tye as their foreign players.

Chris Gayle played a match-winning inning and scored an unbeaten 104 runs in just 63 balls. Aaron Finch did his part as well with his quickfire innings of 14 runs of 6 deliveries. His leadership qualities are also vital for the team as he helped the newly appointed skipper, Ravichandran Ashwin in managing the team on-field.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman continued his promising start of the season and had an economical spell of 0/27. Andrew Tye enjoyed his best night of the tournament so far and took two important wickets during the crucial games of the match.

KXIP started this season stronger than ever and fans will be expecting the foreign players to continue their rich vein of form in order to end the Lions' IPL drought.

#2 Good bowling display during the powerplays

KXIP bowled well during the powerplays

Kings XI Punjab's bowlers bowled brilliantly in the powerplays and restricted SRH from building a momentum in their run-chase. The Lions slipped just 40 runs in the first six overs which subsequently put the required run-rate beyond SRH's liking.

Shikhar Dhawan's injury during the first over of SRH's innings further put KXIP in the driving seat as the Indian opener was in a good scoring form prior to the game. They took two wickets during the first season over which increased the pressure on SRH's batting line-up.

Andrew Tye and Barinder Sran were both proving expensive prior to the game but they came out stronger and didn't let SRH's batsmen get something out of the game.

#1 Chris Gayle's knock

Chris Gayle scored the first hundred of the tournament

After destroying CSK's bowlers with his brutal power-hitting in their last game, Chris Gayle ran riot on SRH this time.

Struggling in the initial overs of their innings, KXIP got their confidence when Chris Gayle found his momentum in the game and helped his side to score a total of 193 runs. He scored the first hundred of the 2018 edition of the IPL and played an unbeaten inning of 104 runs in just 63 balls.

Critics tipped Chris Gayle as there was a doubt that he has passed his prime and will be struggling this season. However, he proved them wrong with his power-hitting and showed that he still has a lot left in him.

Gayle has had a brilliant start to his career with KXIP and he will be hoping to continue his current form to win his first IPL trophy with the Kings XI Punjab.