IPL 2018: KL Rahul rates his 84* against Rajasthan Royals as his most fulfilling knock

Rahul stood his ground and selected his shots to perfection to guide KXIP home against RR.

KL Rahul | IANS

KL Rahul put on a show on Sunday (May 6) night to help Kings XI Punjab register their sixth win in the ongoing Indian Premier League. Rahul scored a blistering 54-ball 84* against the Rajasthan Royals that helped KXIP to chase down the target of 153 with 6 wickets in hand.

During the chase, Punjab were in a spot of bother, having lost 4 wickets for 87 runs in 13 overs. However, Rahul stood his ground and selected his shots to perfection to guide KXIP home with 8 balls to spare.

Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, KL Rahul said: "For me personally I think this is the first knock I am really satisfied with because I won the game for the team and stayed till the end. The way I started the IPL gave me a lot of confidence and I knew taking it to the next level is by winning the game for the team. So I just wanted to bat deep and win the game."

It was Rahul’s third fifty of IPL 2018 and now the KXIP opener boasts of 376 runs after 9 matches with an incredible strike-rate of 162.77. Sharing the secret of his consistent run of form, Rahul said trusting his instincts has helped him a lot.

"I always try to back my cricketing shots and don't try to slog much. I've learned that doesn't suit me and I know if I can keep my shape, I can succeed even in T20s. Playing in this way is what will make me consistent. I trust myself and trust my instincts to finish the game. I knew if I stay till the end I'll finish the game today," he remarked.

Marcus Stoinis (23*) and Karun Nair (31 off 23 balls) provided fitting support to Rahul during the chase and the KXIP opener was in full of praise for the duo. He also talked about the lucky escape when RR wicketkeeper Sanju Samson caught him but was given not out because of the soft signal by on-field umpires.

"I just needed someone to stay with me. Karun did that. Stoinis did that, and ran well too. Very happy to see the batting group is helping. With the way I was batting, I thought that should have gone for four, but I did get lucky [about the catch that was not given]," Rahul concluded.

With this thumping win over Rajasthan, the KXIP side have now secured the third spot on the points table with 12 points from 9 matches.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 07 May, 2018

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