Patel recorded his career-best figures of 3-15
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
The Kings XI Punjab put together a brilliant all-round performance to crush the Cape Cobras by seven wickets in Mohali.
Punjab captain George Bailey would have been brooding over his decision to bowl first early on after the Cape Cobras’ opening duo of Hashim Amla and Richard Levi amassed a 60-run partnership before Amla was caught by David Miller at long-off off the bowling of Karanveer Singh.
Amla’s solid knock of 40 came off 22 balls and included seven boundaries and a six.
Omphile Ramela mustered 12 runs before he was caught by Miller at mid-off off the bowling of Thisara Perera.
Levi ended up making 42 off 37 deliveries, which included two boundaries and three sixes, before he was brilliantly caught and bowled by Glenn Maxwell.
Following Levi’s dismissal, the Cape Cobras’ middle and lower order completely collapsed as they went from 105/3 to being bowled out for 135.
Akshar Patel and Anureet Singh caused the most damage as they took three wickets apiece, while Perera, Maxwell, Karanveer Singh and Parvinder Awana chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Anureet Singh registered his personal best figures of 3-12
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Chasing 136 to win, Punjab got off to a solid start as Virender Sehwag and Manan Vohra put together a 41-run partnership before Vohra was caught by Sybrand Engelbrecht at deep midwicket off the bowling of Robin Peterson for 23.
Sehwag also made 23 runs before he was caught by Rory Kleinveldt at point off the bowling of Peterson.
Funnily enough, Maxwell became the third batsman to be dismissed on 23 when he was clean bowled by Engelbrecht.
However, it was all Punjab from this point on as Wriddhiman Saha and Miller finished things off with an unbeaten 31-run partnership.
Saha ended up making 42 off 35 balls, which included three boundaries and a six, while Miller remained undefeated on 16 off 14 deliveries, which included two boundaries.
Saha smashed three boundaries and a six during his unbeaten knock of 42
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Peterson was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Engelbrecht claimed one.
Cape Cobras stand-in captain Dane Vilas was embarrassed by his team’s performance, and said: “We knew we had to put up a big score with such a strong batting line up. We tried out best out there but unfortunately not good enough. Wr came in rusty and started too slow and playing catch up is very tough. The spinners bowled beautifully. Robbie bowled beautifully and SR [Engelbrecht], with the other game as well, he’s been great.”
Bailey was pleased to have won the match, and said: “[It was a] good fightback with the ball and we did the job with the bat. It was a tired wicket, holding up a little bit and it was pretty clinical in the end. [Patel did a] wonderful job. He contains, he takes wickets and he does it with a short sleeved shirt which is pleasing. They bowl very beautifully together. I reckon he’s a little lucky tonight.”
Patel was named Man of the Match, and said: “I’m very happy with the captain and the management’s support. I do very well in batting and bowling.”