Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Mayank Agarwal on Monday (25th April) lauded Arshdeep Singh and Kagiso Rabada for their efforts against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 38 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 in Mumbai.
PBKS defeated CSK by 11 runs to register their fourth win of the season. The Agarwal-led side displayed an all-round performance and bowled brilliantly at the death to seal the game.
Asked to bat first, Shikhar Dhawan carried his bat throughout the innings and scored unbeaten 88 runs. He was well-accompanied by Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who scored 42 runs, and Liam Livingstone, who scored 19 runs in 17 balls, to help PBKS post a total of 187 runs on the board.
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Defending the target, they started well as they removed three wickets for just 40 runs. Ruturaj Gaikwad (30) and Ambati Rayudu (78) kept their side in the hunt but it was an exhibition of sensational death bowling by Arshdeep Singh and Kagiso Rabada, who took 2 wickets each to close the game for their side.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Mayank Agarwal lauded Arshdeep and Rabada for bowling ‘exceedingly’ well and winning the match for them.
“We would like to win a few tosses, we have just won one. I thought Arsh bowled exceedingly well, he has bowled the tough overs, he has been great for us. Even Rabada bowled well, to get Ruturaj and get Rayudu at that stage. These two have been great for us,” Mayank Agarwal.
Agarwal talked about being smart as a team and said that they wanted CSK to play towards the longer boundary. He added that they would want to continue the momentum and win two, three matches on the trot.
“As a team we have to think about being smart. You want your opposition to play towards the longer side as much as they can. As a batter even if you mishit the balls, you’ll get the result against the shorter boundary.
“Those moments get the better out of you. It is important to carry the momentum. We have won one, but we need to win two or three on the bounce,” he said.
PBKS will next face Lucknow Super Giants on Friday (29th April) at MCA Stadium in Pune.
(ANI inputs)