Kings XI Punjab extended their dominance in the Indian Premier League with a clinical 16-run victory against Rajasthan Royals.
Punjab sealed top spot in this edition of the league with this win as they have 20 points from 13 matches, while Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders can only gain 18 points if they win their final games.
Punjab can still swell their tally as they will be playing their last league match against bottom-placed Delhi Daredevils on Monday.
Sent into bat, Punjab plundered 46 runs in the last three overs of their innings to finish with a competitive 179 for four. Their bowlers then came to the party, with leftarm spinner Akshar Patel leading the way with impressive figures of three for 24, to restrict Rajasthan to 163 for eight.
Needing 31 in the last over, James Faulkner (35 off 13) smashed two sixes but the asking rate proved to be too much for Rajasthan.
The result also had Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad – both on 12 points – celebrating, since it kept their chances of making the playoffs alive.
Now the final playoff spot will be decided on the last day of the league with the Rajasthan v Mumbai Indians match.
Rajasthan captain Shane Watson, who fell for a first-ball duck, blamed the team’s batting for the defeat.
“We did not execute things right. It was a very good wicket. I’m a culprit for losing my wicket. Jimmy and Hodgy did a great job to get us close. Jimmy has been incredible with the ball and bat for the last 12 months.
“We have to pick ourselves from tonight and be at our best against Mumbai Indians. It will be a knockout game,” he added.
Bailey (26 off 18 balls), who strung an unbeaten 60-run stand for the fifth wicket with David Miller (29 off 20 balls) in 5.2 overs, was delighted with the way his team has shaped up.
Bailey said: “It’s nice to know that we are playing consistent cricket. That’s something we have been speaking about. We had a good chat before the game, about the basics and what we need to do and I think we did that. We seem to have a lot of batters getting to 20-30, but the really pleasing thing tonight was keeping wickets in hand and we kept building partnerships which was important.”
Bailey also praised his spinners – IPL debutant Karanveer Singh (2-16) and Patel – for turning in match-winning performances.
“We have had a pretty blessed run with bringing guys in and they are doing well. “Karanveer Singh was outstanding tonight, he has waited patiently for his chance. Akshar Patel, we rarely mention him now, but he keeps doing what he does.”
Opener Shaun Marsh, adjudged Man of the Match, was already looking ahead to the playoffs.
“It was nice to get a few, enjoyed batting with Manan (Vohra) as well. Good that we have got some impetus going into the playoffs.”
