We wanted to have match-winner like Maxwell: Kings captain Rahul

Mohammad Abdullah, Staff Reporter

Kings XI Punjab skipper KL Rahul expressed his delight for having swashbuckling West Indian opener Chris Gayle and Australian match all-rounder Glenn Maxwell in the squad.

Kings will look to repeat their 2014 feat when the IPL was held in the UAE last time.  Kings XI Punjab, who remained unbeaten throughout the UAE leg in 2014, were involved in all the high scoring games, owing to the brilliant form of the Maxwell.

Rahul was all praise for the stylish all-rounder, who was at the helm of the affairs when they finished runners-up, losing to Kolkata Knight Riders in the final.

But they had a memorable run in the UAE leg of the tournament, where they were almost invincible.

“Maxwell had been with Kings XI before. He was one player that we were very clear about before going into auction this time around. We always wanted a match-winner like him, said Rahul.

“We all know what Maxi bring to the team. On a given day, he will take down any opposition. Last couple of season we missed someone like that in the middle order,” he added.

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Riding on the stellar form of Maxwell, Kings managed to win all their matches in the UAE. Maxwell recorded the top three highest individual scores during the UAE leg matches in 2014.

He scored 95 runs off 43 balls during the matches against CSK and SRH teams between which he also made 45-ball 89 against Rajasthan Royals.

Commenting on Gayle joining the squad in the UAE, Rahul said: “Kings have a great experience with Chris and luckily I have played with him for several years.

“I had some good partnership with him in the middle and he is a great guy to have in the team. He will be a part of core group and he is definitely going to win many games for us,” hoped Rahul.

Rahul was all praise for his former Indian captain MS Dhoni. Commenting on his captaincy, Rahul said he learnt a lot from Dhoni.

“Playing with Dhoni is such an honour and every day has been a huge learning experience and it is something I am going to cherish for the rest of my life.

There have been times when we had a good partnership in the middle and it was a great learning curve.

“Something that I have learnt from him and always remember

is that calm, which always comes handy in the middle. That was the way he got the best out of each player. Everybody would try to emulate and learn from him,” said an expressive Rahul.

Talking about his own captaincy, Rahul said: “Obviously, it feels really good. After years of hard work slowly start to pay off. Playing for your country and your franchise for  a long time. You always look forward to lead your side and I am really looking forward to it.

“Quite honest, I don’t what to expect anything and I am not going into this tournament with a set plan. It is all about trying to get the team together and get the team to gel together and enjoy each other’s company.

“That will be the key to me and nobody is conventional and unconventional. You try to make the best possible decision on that particular moment. That is what I am going to try to do and try to live in that moment and to make the best final decision,” he elaborated.

He also showed his preference to remain an opener.

“Opening the batting is something that I have done all my life and I am most comfortable doing.

“If I am playing a 20-over match it gives me the opportunity to play full overs. I feel I make the best impact when I play the full 20 overs. It is been a fun so far two good season with Kings XI,” he added.

Rahul said it is a great advantage to have Anil Kumble as head coach.

“To have somebody like Anil bhai helps me immensely because I share a very good relationship with him off the field also as we come from the same place.

“He makes my life very easy. I know he will do most of the planning and I just have to go out and execute it.

“Looking forward to 2020 season and this is not a usual season. It can be very different. It brings a new challenge for everybody and I am excited and hopefully I can make the season count,” he concluded.