David Miller believes Kings XI Punjab still have a lot to play for despite languishing at the bottom of the eight-team table. Last year’s finalists have been poor this season with just two wins from eight games.
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Since their Super Over victory against Rajasthan Royals, Punjab have lost to Chennai Super Kings (by 97 runs), Sunrisers Hyderabad (20 runs) and Delhi Daredevils (by nine wickets) to add to their three defeats in the first four games.
The big players have failed to fire with the openers being the biggest culprits. Barring a stand of 60 in their 18-run win against Mumbai Indians, the first wicket alliance got into double figures only twice.
Virender Sehwag has been a big disappointment averaging 13.85 in seven games scoring 97 runs while new recruit Murali Vijay has fared marginally better averaging 22.57 in seven games with 158 runs.
Miller, who has scored 166 runs in seven games, admits the constant failure of the openers has put the middle-order under immense pressure.
However, he is optimistic of a better show in the remaining six games, beginning with the home match against Mumbai Indians at Mohali today.
“It’s not easy,” Miller said.
“In the last six-seven games we haven’t batted well in the first six overs. So the middle-order has been under pressure to at least get the team to a decent total.
“But that’s what we are there for, to try and get to a good total whether we are in trouble or we are doing well. We just try and stabilise things and just push from there.
“It hasn’t been the greatest – the last couple of games. There are still six games left, so we can turn it around. We have to stay positive.”