IPL 2018: KXIP vs DD: Hits and Misses

The Kings XI Punjab went full throttle in the IPL auction this year and bolstered their squad with some big names and talents. It seemed like they wanted to make a mark on the tournament that has stayed out of their grasp for the last decade.

Their campaign for this season has started well. They hosted a competitive Delhi Daredevils side at Mohali on Sunday (8th April) and thumped them to clinch a 6-wicket victory.

Here are the hits and misses from North India derby:

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Hit: Mujeeb Ur Rahman

The two dismissals were not his only contribution to his side

This off-break bowler from Afghanistan is now the youngest cricketer to feature in an IPL game. He stepped onto the big stage with confidence and self-belief and made an impact on the proceedings almost immediately.

His first IPL wicket came off the third delivery of his spell, when he trapped Colin Munro leg-before-wicket in the third over of the game. He then dismissed the highly rated wicketkeeper-batsman of the Daredevils, Rishabh Pant.

The two dismissals were not his only contribution to his side. He affected a tremendous run-out in the 15th over of the innings, thereby forcing the DD captain to retreat to the dressing room after an impressive knock.

Miss: Colin Munro

T

he

New Zealand batsman could not live

upto

the expectations

Colin Munro came into this edition of the IPL with the reputation of a swashbuckling opening batsman. His career strike rate in T20I rakes up to 163.6, making him an asset in this format of the game.

However, the New Zealand batsman could not live up to the expectations from him against the Kings XI Punjab.

The Delhi franchise decided to go with two left-handed openers, with Munro and Gambhir leading the charge for them. While the latter managed to stamp his authority on the tie, the former could only manage 4 off 6 deliveries before returning to the pavilion.

He was dismissed by Afghanistan bowler Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who, at 17 years of age, broke the record for the youngest player to ever play in the IPL.

Hit: Gautam Gambhir

Gambhir fell to an unfortunate, but a brilliantly-affected, run-out in the 15th over of the first innings

The DD skipper had a memorable comeback to his home franchise as he slammed an impressive fifty against the Kings XI Punjab. His knock of 55 runs off 42 deliveries included five boundaries and a beautifully-timed six over long-off.

He looked in great touch and seemed set to play through the innings. However, he fell to an unfortunate, but a brilliantly-affected, run-out in the 15th over of the first innings. The 55 runs he contributed on an away track were vital in taking DD to a fighting total.

Miss: Amit Mishra

His bowling was taken apart by KL Rahul and Karun Nair

The leg-spinner is the second most successful bowler of the IPL with 134 scalps to his name. He is a proven commodity in this format of the game and has the ability to pick up wickets at regular intervals.

Mishra, though, had a horrific day in the office against KXIP. He bowled four overs, leaked 46 runs, and failed to dismiss a single Punjab batsman. His economy rate for the day exceeded 11.5 and the performance that he put up on the day just wasn't good enough, more so considering the standards he has set for himself.

His bowling was taken apart by KL Rahul and Karun Nair, who scored blistering half-centuries in the second innings. Mishra would look to reverse this performance against Rajasthan Royals on Thursday (April 11).

Hit: KL Rahul

His innings swung the match in the favour of the hosts

KL Rahul's IPL career has been topsy-turvy till now. He didn't manage to carve a permanent place in the playing XI of his former franchise, the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Recurrent injuries too hampered his progression in the league.

The right-handed batsman is now a part of the KXIP franchise, where he has a significant chance of proving his mettle and cementing the opening slot for himself. He has definitely gotten off to a promising start for them.

Rahul went absolutely bonkers in the first two overs of the chase. After 2.3 overs, the scoreboard tallying the KXIP total read 44 for the loss of no wickets. 43 of those runs had come from Rahul's willow, and off just 12 deliveries.

His innings swung the match in the favour of the hosts. He was ultimately dismissed by Trent Boult after scoring 51 runs in just 16 balls. It was a truly special effort from the 25-year-old.