Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain KL Rahul retained the Orange Cap as he smashed unbeaten 98 runs in 42 deliveries against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Thursday (October 7). Rahul's innings helped Punjab chase down 135 runs with 42 balls left and 6 wickets in hand.

Rahul's runs came at a strike rate of 233.33 and he hit 7 fours and 8 sixes. After getting the Player of the Match award, the Punjab opener said he relied on timing to clear the boundary. 

ALSO READ: IPL 2021: WATCH – Deepak Chahar proposes his girlfriend after CSK versus PBKS match

"When you get going like that you feel like you can hit every ball. You need to hold your shape. The only thing I keep telling myself is I am not a power-hitter. I still rely on timing and getting my body in good positions," he said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

The 29-year-old enjoyed the knock and he admitted there's no better feeling than middling the ball and watch it sail over the boundary ropes. "So I keep telling myself to set up strong, watch the ball and trust my instincts to play the right shot. In the nets, I train my mind and train my instincts to make the right choice in the middle. There's no better feeling than hitting the ball in the middle of the bat and watching the ball fly all over the park," he added.

There has been a lot of criticism of Rahul for his strike rate in the last couple of IPL seasons. But the Punjab skipper said he was playing a role his team demanded and it's always team first for him.

"It was just what the team needs. I know there has been a lot of talk in the last 3-4 years about my strike rate and me playing slowly. But only my team and I know what's my role and what my responsibility is. I tried to play the role the team requires of me every game. I feel I am letting the team down if I play the kind of cricket I want to play. 

"It's always team first for me. That's how I have grown up and that's how I will continue to play. Today the team needed this. I was happy that I could play this kind of a knock," he said.