IPL5: Adam Gilchrist hopes to provide solid start for Kings XI Punjab – Cricket News Update
Former Australian international, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Punjab-c833, who will be facing Kolkata Knight Riders in their next Indian Premier League fixture on Wednesday,
April 18, 2012, at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali.
Hoping to turn things around against KKR, Gilchrist said, “We haven't quite had an opening partnership, myself and the other partner getting out early and we are looking to change that.”
Gilchrist hasn’t had the best of starts in this edition of IPL. The hard hitting opener has scores of 27, 6, 21 and 5 from four games that he has played so far for Kings XI Punjab. Gilly’s opening partner, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Paul-Valthaty-c2170, has not
had much success either. The 28-year-old cricketer from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Maharashtra-c811 has only scored 14 runs from three innings.
Valthaty was not part of Punjab’s playing XI the last time they faced KKR. The right-hander was replaced by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mandeep-Singh-c74122, who played a knock of 38 runs that proved to be crucial in the context of the game and will most likely
get him another opportunity.
When asked whether Valthaty's days in the final XI are over, Gilchrist said, “He is by no means out of contention in this tournament. It is just that we haven't batted a perfect match or anywhere near that. (In T20) we all want
to go 10 an over risk-free when we bat, but unfortunately, that risk doesn't always pay off.”
Gilly also shed some light on the availability of Pakistani born all-rounder, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Azhar-Mahmood-c1116. The former Australian was happy to see the cricketer joining Punjab’s ranks after visa problems forced him to miss four games; however,
Gilchrist said that Azhar is not assured a slot in playing XI and the decision to play him or not will be taken accordingly.
Gilchrist led Punjab started IPL5 slowly suffering two consecutive defeats. However, things have changed in last couple of games with Punjab overhauling Pune http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Warriors-c861 and KKR.
The IPL franchise, owned by Bollywood http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Michael-Di-Venuto-c1954 Preity Zinta, is currently placed at seventh in the points table and a win over KKR will move them a couple of places up in the pecking order.
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