Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) skipper KL Rahul said he wasn't really feeling confident leading into the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Dubai on Thursday (September 25).
The classy right-hand opener, however, overcame the nervous energy with a top hundred in his team's first win of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 campaign.
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Rahul's terrific innings of 132 not out in just 69 deliveries, glint with 14 fours and 7 sixes, allowed KXIP to post an intimidating total of 206/3 in 20 overs, which they later defending by an eye-raising margin of 97 runs.
"I have actually been not so confident (hitting it this well). I had a chat with Maxi (Glenn Maxwell) yesterday, he said how are you feeling, I said that I am not feeling completely in control of my batting, he said you must be joking, you are hitting really well," Rahul said at the post-match presentation.
Rahul made a 19-ball 21 in the bitter super-over defeat against Delhi Capitals (DC) before this match. He hadn't batted in a competitive game since March before this tournament due to the extended COVID-19 break.
"Quite honestly I was nervous but I knew if I spend time in the middle, hit a few balls from the middle of bat, it will all settle down," said the 28-year-old, who is leading an IPL team for the first time.
"I try to do (the same routine as I did when I was a player) but as a captain you have shortened time and you are running around and doing a lot of things."
"I still try to maintain the same routine. Once I am in the middle and during the toss is the only time I feel like a captain and otherwise I try to balance being a player and the captain."
KXIP's new-ball pairing of Sheldon Cottrell (2/17) and Mohammad Shami (1/14) did major damage in the powerplay, before wrist-spinners Ravi Bishnoi (3/32) and Murugan Ashwin (3/21) carried their good work forward and finished off the proceedings, dismissing RCB for just 109 in 17 overs.
"It's as complete a team performance as it can get. We had few different plans going into this game," said Rahul.
"We knew RCB have a power packed batting line up and we had to get 2-3 wickets up front and that also meant putting runs on the board, we know what these guys can do if they get set. The analyst, coaches and the management will be happy," he added.
The skipper reserved special praise for Bishnoi, who was brilliant even in the first match.
"Something that has impressed me in him (Bishnoi's heart of coming back even after an expensive start). I watched the U-19 World Cup. He has a lot of fight in him."
"Every time I throw the ball he wants to do well, he was a little nervous bowling at guys like Finchy and AB, once he got through that he did well," Rahul added.
(Inputs from PTI)
