Lack of a “powerful start” in four matches is on Adam Gilchrist's mind. He knows only too well that runs from the top order will provide the foundation for the not-so-orthodox batsmen in the Kings XI Punjab line-up to build a towering score.
“We have not had a perfect match so far, in fact nowhere close to perfect. We need a big opening partnership,” said the Australian wicketkeeper-captain ahead of Kings XI Punjab's clash with Kolkata Knight Riders.
“At the top, I will have to get going. I've had two starts and two failures. Paul (Valthaty) is no way ruled out for the matches ahead. Shaun (Marsh) is looking good. Mandeep (Singh) played superbly the other night.
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“Azhar Mahmood has joined the squad and is in contention. We have a good side. The bowlers have done a marvellous job so far,” said Gilchrist as he chose to hail Praveen Kumar, Piyush Chawla (for his “match-turning” spell against Kolkata) and Harmeet Singh for the team's victory on Sunday.
Kolkata's Australian coach Trevor Bayliss admitted that his team's showing so far in the competition was not in keeping with the expectations.
“When you are not in good form, you don't win close matches. We should have won on Sunday. But our intensity dropped in the end overs.”
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He expressed his concern over the team's top-four batsmen not contributing. “Barring the match against Royal Challengers, our top order has not done too well.”
On Yusuf Pathan's poor scores, Bayliss backed the explosive batsman. “Yusuf is a match-winner. It is just a matter of time before he gets it right. He has the full support of the team,” he said.