Kings XI Punjab batsman Mandeep Singh has had a difficult last couple of days. Singh lost his father and showed a lot of courage when he opened the innings with KL Rahul against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The right-hander could not do much of notice against SRH but grabbed his opportunity against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Punjab had to chase down a tricky total of 150 runs and they also lost the wicket of their skipper, KL Rahul early in the inning. Mandeep wasn’t able to get his timing right and was scoring at less than run-a-ball in the initial phase of the inning. However, the right-hander gained his confidence after Chris Gayle took the pressure of his shoulders after scoring at a healthy strike rate.
Mandeep got crucial boundaries against Lockie Ferguson and timed the ball with perfection after early struggle. The right-hander scored an unbeaten knock of 66 runs from 56 balls with the help of eight fours and two sixes. Mandeep revealed that his father always used to tell him to remain unbeaten and take his team over the line.
The Punjab batsman was able to do the same on Monday and dedicated his match-winning fifty to his late father. It was an emotional moment for the right-hander as he kept his personal loss at the back seat for his team.
“My father used to tell me that ‘you should remain not out in every game’ and that is what I wanted to do today. Even before the game I spoke to Rahul that ‘let me play my game, even if I take few balls I can win games for the team’. I think my father would be really happy that I finished the game,” Mandeep Singh told the IPLT20.com.
It was a fine win for Kings XI Punjab and this was their fifth win on the bounce. This win has helped them climb to the fourth position in the points table and they have a great chance of qualifying for the playoff stages if they win the remaining two matches.
Punjab has come up with a collective effort and they will look to continue the good show going. KXIP will next face Rajasthan Royals at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on 30th October.
