Kings XI Punjab opener (KXIP) Mayank Agarwal said the team is in good spirits despite coping two heartbreaking defeats in three IPL 2020 games so far.

While KXIP lost to Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Super-Over in their campaign opener, they suffered a demoralizing four-wicket defeat at the hands of Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Sharjah on Sunday (September 27).

Kings XI rode on Agarwal’s 50-ball 106 and skipper KL Rahul’s 54-ball 69 to post a gigantic 223/2 on the board. But the Punjab-based franchise failed to defend the total as Royal’s Sanju Samson (85 off 42 balls), Rahul Tewatia (53 off 31 balls) and Steve Smith (50 off 27 balls) produced blinders to win the contest with three balls to spare.

“See, very honestly, the talk in the dressing room is very positive, we still have 11 games to go, there are a lot of things that we are doing right, yes we have not been able to close out, but we are not focussing on the results,” Mayank said at the post-match press conference.

“The kind of cricket we are playing, the brand of cricket and the plans we are executing, we are quite happy with that.”

Not picking Universe Boss Chris Gayle in the playing XI is always a tough call and Agarwal is glad that he has been able to live up the expectations of the team management.

“The management did speak a lot about it (on the opening pairing before the start of the IPL). We are not thinking about it too much, we are very happy with the way we are playing and the start we are able to give to the side and we will take it as it comes,” he said.

“It was up to the coach and captain whatever decision they take, I will be happy with that going forward also.”

Agarwal and Rahul form perhaps the best opening pair in the ongoing IPL. The duo shared a 183-run partnership for the first wicket against RR, which is the second-highest opening stand in the history of IPL.

“Definitely, it is a lot of fun to bat with KL, top-class cricketer we share a good friendship, he is a great guy. The talk in the middle was if we both are set, then one guy at least of us two bats through,” Mayank remarked.

Kings XI Punjab opener (KXIP) Mayank Agarwal said the team is in good spirits despite coping two heartbreaking defeats in three IPL 2020 games so far.

While KXIP lost to Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Super-Over in their campaign opener, they suffered a demoralizing four-wicket defeat at the hands of Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Sharjah on Sunday (September 27).

Kings XI rode on Agarwal’s 50-ball 106 and skipper KL Rahul’s 54-ball 69 to post a gigantic 223/2 on the board. But the Punjab-based franchise failed to defend the total as Royal’s Sanju Samson (85 off 42 balls), Rahul Tewatia (53 off 31 balls) and Steve Smith (50 off 27 balls) produced blinders to win the contest with three balls to spare.

“See, very honestly, the talk in the dressing room is very positive, we still have 11 games to go, there are a lot of things that we are doing right, yes we have not been able to close out, but we are not focussing on the results,” Mayank said at the post-match press conference.

“The kind of cricket we are playing, the brand of cricket and the plans we are executing, we are quite happy with that.”

Not picking Universe Boss Chris Gayle in the playing XI is always a tough call and Agarwal is glad that he has been able to live up the expectations of the team management.

“The management did speak a lot about it (on the opening pairing before the start of the IPL). We are not thinking about it too much, we are very happy with the way we are playing and the start we are able to give to the side and we will take it as it comes,” he said.

“It was up to the coach and captain whatever decision they take, I will be happy with that going forward also.”

Agarwal and Rahul form perhaps the best opening pair in the ongoing IPL. The duo shared a 183-run partnership for the first wicket against RR, which is the second-highest opening stand in the history of IPL.

“Definitely, it is a lot of fun to bat with KL, top-class cricketer we share a good friendship, he is a great guy. The talk in the middle was if we both are set, then one guy at least of us two bats through,” Mayank remarked.