Dubai, Oct 26 (UNI) Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has credited captaincy of KL Rahul and the fighting spirit of head coach Anil Kumble for the Kings XI Punjab's great turnaround of fortunes in the ongoing IPL 2020.
After losing five matches in a row, KXIP were on the brink of losing a spot in the playoffs. However, they made a remarkable comeback, registering four wins on the trot to grab the fifth place with 10 points in the IPL standings.
KXIP now have the chance to make the playoffs with three more games to go in the tournament.
"You know, they have just found the winning way! They seem to have lost that at the start of the tournament. Remember, every time they were close to winning and they went into the super over in their first-ever game and then again, after that they were losing in the final overs," Gavaskar said in Star Sports' show Cricket Live.
'Then, somewhere down the line, they found that key, that takes them to a win and the last few games, they have played exceptional cricket,' he added.
KXIP skipper Rahul has led the team from the front. He has been in great form with the bat and has scored 567 runs in 11 matches and is holding the Orange Cap.
Notably, KXIP defended a small target of 126 in their last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday.
'Last match, to defend a 126 takes a lot of doing, takes a lot of self-belief and that’s what they showed. They have been brilliantly led by KL Rahul,' the former India skipper said.
'KL Rahul has grown into the captaincy role…he made sure, with his field placing, with his bowling changes, even giving Chris Jordan that 19th over and then trusting Arshdeep (Singh) to defend 14 in the final over is fantastic,' he added.
Sunil Gavaskar feels KXIP has been able to turn it around due to the fighting spirit of KXIP coach and former India great Anil Kumble.
The former India opener also lauded the fighting spirit of head coach Kumble, who joined the franchise this season.
"Do not forget the role of Anil Kumble! Anil Kumble has been a fighter all his cricketing career, you could see when he went out with a broken jaw and bowled, and that spirit is seen in the KXIP. That is the reason why they have come back from impossible situations and are now in the hunt for the place in the playoffs," Gavaskar said.
KXIP will face KKR in a crucial match at Sharjah on Monday.
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