Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) all-rounder Jimmy Neesham has described the team’s thrilling 5-wicket win over the table-toppers Delhi Capitals (DC) as “a complete team effort” in the 38th game of the ongoing IPL 2020 at Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday (October 20).
It was KXIP’s third consecutive win in the ongoing IPL 2020 after suffering 6 defeats in the tournament in the UAE. The thrilling win over DC kept Kings’ hopes alive to qualify for the IPL 13 playoffs having placed at the 5th spot on the points table with 8 points from 10 games so far.
KXIP bowlers were brilliant in Dubai, restricting DC to 164/5 in their 20 overs despite Shikhar Dhawan's record-breaking second consecutive century, thanks to Mohammed Shami's 2-28 in his four overs with Glenn Maxwell, Murugan Ashwin, and Neesham each taking one scalp.
Defending the total, KXIP didn’t get a healthy start as opener KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal suffered a rare failure in the ongoing IPL 2020, but Chris Gayle’s quickfire knock of 29-run from 13 balls, and then a 28-ball 53 by Nicholas Pooran and Maxwell’s 32 off 24 sailed Punjab off to the finish line.
However, Neesham hit the winning run for KXIP. He came to bat after Maxwell departed in the 16th over.
And the New Zealand all-rounder decided to chase down the total without putting stress on fan's hearts, as he launched a fuller delivery off Daniel Sams for a six over deep mid-wicket to complete to exciting chase when the team needed 2 runs off 7 deliveries on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, KXIP has shared a clip on its official Twitter handle, where the Kiwi star can be seen reflecting back at the enthralling chase against the Capitals.
Neesham said in the video: “We talked about finishing it in the 19th over and it was good to do it for a change instead of putting stress on fan's hearts. I thought it was an overall good effort, the bowlers were outstanding to restrict them to 160 something and the way Chris came out in the powerplay and played aggressively and got going quickly.”
He added, “It really allowed guys like Maxi and myself to come out and take our time and Pooran was outstanding as he has been in the whole tournament and I think it was a complete team effort.”
Noteworthy, KXIP will now take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in their next IPL 2020 clash on 24 October.
(With KXIP Inputs)
