Sehwag slams foreign players for 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 lambasted his side’s foreign recruits after they failed to perform in the crunch game against Rising Pune Supergiant; setting a target of just 74 runs before losing by nine wickets to finish outside the top four to crash out.
Not known as one to mince his words, Sehwag poor batting display stating: “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 the 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.”
Kings XI Punjab lost five wickets inside the powerplay and never recovered as they were skittled out for just 73 runs after being put in to bat by the hosts.
“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 the fours and sixes…,” Sehwag said, before adding: “The wicket wasn’t that bad that we skittled to just 74 runs (Kings XI Punjab had made 73). Even if we would have made 120-130, we would have still been in the game. Our batsmen have been extremely irresponsible today.”
Even captain Glenn Maxwell wasn’t spared from the criticism although the Australian has had a few good knocks this season and has contributed consistently with the ball.
“We always knew that when Maxwell fires, then 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 the double figure mark.
It was an extremely disciplined effort from Rising Pune Supergiant who struck with the very first ball of the innings to send back Guptill.
The pitch was a bit on the slower side but the hosts kept their calm and played to chase down the total at ease. “We didn’t play at least four overs; 24 deliveries we missed and if we would have scored even 20-25 runs in those overs, we would have been close to 100 and put up a fight,” Sehwag added.