IPL 2020: Kings XI Punjab has lost 2 of the first 3 matches in the IPL 2020. However, they are still considered as one of the hot favourites to win this year’s IPL. The magnificent form of the two KXIP openers- KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal have been the driving force behind Punjab’s success in the batting department.
Rahula and Agarwal are the lone warriors in the KXIP batting. This became more clear after KXIP failed to chase the total of 192 against the Mumbai Indians as Rahul and Agarwal could not score big runs.
Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Mayank Agarwal after he scored 25 runs off 18 balls. Soon after, Rahul Chahar picked up the wicket of KL Rahul after scoring 17 runs off 19 balls. However, Punjab is still considered as one of the favourites to win the IPL 2020.
Rahul has carried his form for Team India to KXIP. He has been in a spectacular form in IPL 2020 so far, having scored an unbeaten 132 against RCB. This is also the highest score by an Indian and also the highest score of a captain in the IPL. (IPL 2020)
Sanjay Bangar feels that Mayank Agarwal has evolved as a cricketer. (IPL 2020)
Rahul has been leading KXIP from the front and has earned praises from the cricket fraternity. Former India all-rounder and batting coach Sanjay Bangar has praised Rahul and compared him to RCB star batsman AB de Villiers. Bangar feels that KL Rahul is India’s AB de Villiers. “Everyone calls AB de Villiers Mr 360, I’d like to say KL Rahul is India’s 360,” Bangar said on Star Sports.
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Bangar also lauded Mayank Agarwal and said that he has evolved as a cricketer. “He’s grown as a cricketer. He now believes he can win matches and he has done that he has single-handedly taken KXIP to match-winning positions this year,” Bangar further said.
Mayank and Rahul both are competing for the Orange Cap this year. Mayank is currently at the top, having scored 246 runs in 4 matches boasting an average of 61.50 and a strike rate of 166.21. Rahul is following him with 239 runs in as many matches at an impeccable average of 79.66 and a strike rate of 148.44. Both of them have smacked a century so far in IPL 2020.
“Until and unless that orange cap stays with Kings XI I’m happy. He’s (Agarwal) worked very hard and deserves that cap. I’m sure I’ll take it off him soon,” Rahul had said about the competition to win the Orange Cap.
