Sehwag blasts Maxwell after KXIP flop show

I can say that none of the foreign players took responsibility and at least play 12 to 15 overs. Their role was at least one of the top four should bat for 1215 overs but none of the batsmen took the responsibility VIRENDER SEHWAG, On poor show

PUNE : A furious Virender Sehwag lambasted Kings XI Punjab’s foreign recruits after they flopped in the crunch game against Rising Pune Supergiant on Sunday, skittled out for a record low of 73 to lose by nine wickets and hand the must-win game on a platter.

Not known to mince words, Sehwag, the KXIP director of cricket operations, said after Pune Supergiant won to seal the last playoff berth: “I’m very disappointed. I can say that none of the foreign players took responsibility and at least play 12 to 15 overs. Their role was at least one of the top four should bat for 12-15 overs, but none of the batsmen took responsibility.

“I think they were complaining that the wicket was a bit slow, but when you play international cricket so much, you should get used to playing on difficult or good wickets.”

MAXWELL THE TARGET

That was aimed at skipper Glenn Maxwell, who said at the presentation that losing the toss proved a big disadvantage in the winner-take-all game. “The toss had something to do with it,” the Aussie said. “The wicket was damp after a few days of rain. It was just about assessing the conditions. Everything went against us and we could not recover. We have lost our last five tosses. Unfortu- nately in the IPL, a lot can be decided by the toss.”

Kings XI Punjab lost five wickets inside the powerplay overs and never recovered.

Sehwag wasn’t impressed: “I think they’ll end up playing as much cricket as is their mentality. Perhaps they feel the T20 format is only for the entertainment bit and about fours and sixes…,” he said, adding: “The wicket wasn’t that bad that we were skittled for just 73 runs. Even if we would have made 120130, we would have still been in the game. Our batsmen have been extremely irresponsible today.”

SKIPPER FELL SHORT

Although skipper Maxwell has had a few good knocks this season, Sehwag was critical. “We always knew when Maxwell fires, he can win the match on his own. But he didn’t fire in most games. That is a big disappointment, especially since he’s experienced, having played for Australia’s Test and ODI teams. He didn’t take the responsibility as a captain and didn’t perform for Kings XI Punjab,” Sehwag said.

The Punjab franchise was bundled out in the 16th over with only four of their batsman managing to get to double figures. It was an extremely disciplined effort from Rising Pune Supergiant, who struck with the first ball of the innings to send back Martin Guptill.