IPL 2017: For KXIP skipper Maxwell, the loss is pretty devastating; for Raina & Co, a morale booster

Their IPL play-off hopes severely dented, Kings XI Punjab captain Glenn Maxwell termed the six- wicket defeat against Gujarat Lions today as “pretty devastating”.

Maxwell put the blame of the defeat on the team’s horrendous fielding effort, saying the dropped catches hurt the team badly.

“Pretty devastating,” Maxwell said after the loss. “189 was enough, the bowlers and fielders let us down. We dropped three crucial catches. We haven’t won a heap of games in a row. We’ve had to scrap. Unfortunately, we’ll lose Hashim and David Miller now, and we’ll have to look deep in our reserves and regroup,” he added.

Winning skipper Suresh Raina said the win is a big morale booster for the youngsters of the team what if they have already crashed out of the play-off race.

“We had too many injuries (this year). (But) still a good season for the youngsters,” he said.

He lauded openers Dwayne Smith and Ishan Kishan for setting the platform for the comfortable win.

“Smithy (Smith) and Ishan gave us the platform and later on me and DK (Dinesh Karthi) had a good partnership. I think it was about six-over partnerships. Sandy (Sandeep Sharma) and Mohit (Sharma) bowled brilliantly in between, but me and DK rotated …read more