Kings XI Punjab’s IPL 2020 journey: Two umpiring blunders, redemption and plenty of heartbreak for KL Rahul

“This one could cost us a playoff berth.” Those were the words uttered by Kings XI Punjab’s CEO Satish Menon after their opening game against Delhi Capitals. Chris Jordan was incorrectly given one-run short and it proved to be cataclysmic. Kings XI Punjab lost two wickets in the final two balls and in the Super Over, KL Rahul’s team lost a match which they should have won. After 13 games, it was perhaps the perfect summing up of Kings XI Punjab’s IPL 2020 journey that an umpiring controversy would derail knock Kings XI Punjab out of the playoff race with a loss to Chennai Super Kings. The words uttered by Satish Menon on September 20 finally came true on November 1 in their last league game.

In between those two umpiring blunders, Kings XI Punjab were the team that provided the maximum heartbreaks and moments of enthrallment. There were instances when Kings XI Punjab fell short by a matter of inches. There were moments when Kings XI Punjab failed to capitalise on the big moments which in the end, led to their eventual downfall. This was the journey of Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2020.

Miracle losses and falling short by inches

How can one botch up a match when one run was needed off two balls with wickets in hand? Simple: Just lose two wickets of two balls and lose in the Super Over. How does one lose a game when the opposition needs 51 off 18 and once batsman has hit 8 off 19 balls? Bowl an over where the batsman hits five sixes and changes the course of the match. How do you lose by a matter of inches? Have a batsman who is struggling to hit sixes fail to clear a spinner who bowls well in the death overs.

In each and every situation in the first half of the IPL, Kings XI Punjab found ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. If one thought that the botch against Delhi Capitals was unbelievable, then the Rahul Tewatia jailbreak in Sharjah just belied belief. Against Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab needed 22 runs in 18 balls. Yet, they dragged the equation down to 12 off the last over. Glenn Maxwell, who had established a reputation of hitting sixes at will, did not clear the ropes even once in this tournament. When push came to shove, he buckled and could not deposit Sunil Narine over the ropes.

And to think, Narine was reported for a suspect action afterwards. Individual brilliances could not mask the fraility of Kings XI Punjab. But, the arrival of one man changed the entire equation. It was destiny that Chris Gayle, who was ill for the first half of the IPL, came in his own blockbuster style to revive Kings XI Punjab.

The turnaround

Chris Gayle came like the Universe Boss and conquered his former side Royal Challengers Bangalore in grand style. With his arrival, the batting found purpose. Perhaps, the rejuvenation was perhaps epitomized brilliantly in THAT ‘double super over’ miracle. Mohammed Shami matched Jasprit Bumrah yorker-for-yorker. The exhibition by both showed that Indian cricket team’s bowling is in safe hands.

In the second half, it was the turn of Kings XI Punjab to turn the tables as their opponents snatched defeats from the jaws of victory. Sunrisers Hyderabad suffered an epic collapse of 7/14 to lose in a chase of 126. It needed something miraculous from Ben Stokes to halt Kings XI Punjab as Rajasthan Royals once again hurt them.

However, when the umpiring overturn happened in the crunch match against Chennai Super Kings, you could see that they were hurt. The loss against Delhi Capitals, the choke against Kolkata Knight Riders, the miracle of Rajasthan Royals all did not break them as much as the umpiring decision in Abu Dhabi. That was the final blow to their confidence. It was sad that the team which provided fans tremendous excitement and reasons to love IPL 2020 had to be eliminated in this way. But, in between those two umpiring decision, Kings XI Punjab gave entertainment king-sized and fans will forever be grateful for that.