KXIP v RPS a mini final, will keep it simple

Kings XI Punjab have been living on the edge for the last couple of Indian Premier League (IPL) games. The Glenn Maxwell-led team was virtually out of the playoff race, but two narrow wins against Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders have placed them just one victory away from a top-four finish.

KXIP face Rising Pune Supergiant in an away match on Sunday and can enter the playoffs with a win, regardless of the other results.

Senior batsman Shaun Marsh, who struggled to find a place in the playing XI in the early part of the IPL but has struck form since making a comeback, says the team is trying to stay calm.

Ahead of the big match, Marsh, who since his return has hit two half centuries and several small but significant knocks to be one of KXIP’s top scorers, talks to HT about hitting form after making a late entry and also the team’s chances going ahead. Excerpts: We are really excited about tomorrow’s game. With Pune losing against Delhi, it’s like a mini-final for both teams. And that’s good motivation for us as a playing group. If we win, we have a chance to get an opportunity to play in the final. We have played good cricket in four to five games and hope to carry it forward. We are trying to keep it as simple as possible and keep playing the way we are playing as a team and also individually. All the players know their role. It’s always good to get a game after I missed the first five matches. I am looking forward to tomorrow’s game. As a team, it’s always good to be flexible. Saha got a chance at the top of the order the other night and made it count. It’s good for the team that players are utilising the chance they are getting. Both were very important players to the team but they

We have played good cricket in the last four to five games and hope to carry it forward. We are confident.