KKR captain Karthik upset with Punjab’s revised target

Chasing a stiff 192, Kings XI Punjab were 96 for no loss in 8.2 overs, with a required run rate well in excess of eight runs. But when play resumed after a 95 minutes’ rain delay, KXIP needed just 29 off 28 balls as the revised Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) target was 125 in 13 overs. The visitors sealed the issue with 11 balls to spare. 

“We needed two wickets at that stage. It was important to get (Chris) Gayle and KL (Rahul) early and that was something I was wishing to happen, but they played some really good shots and got away, said Karthik at the post-match news conference. It’s hard for me to predict what would’ve happened. It’s interesting that at that stage, when play was stopped, they needed about eight runs an over. But after the (DLS) method, they suddenly needed only six, a run a ball, and that was surprising,” an irritated Karthik said. 

“If it would have been a 20-over game, they’d be needing eight an over. If we’d gotten two quick wickets, the (required) run rate would have kept going up if we’d bowled well. We came back after the rain and they said they needed just a run a ball, I didn’t understand that part. I’m sure (DLS) has been something people are still trying to figure out.” 

The IPL is played under ICC’s Playing Conditions with DLS being the recognised system but Karthik feels BCCI should use Jayadevan rule which is known as VJD.