KXIP duo Glenn Maxwell and David Miller have lit up the IPL 7 season with incredible batting performances. The signs are ominous for the other teams if the pair continues to be at their brutal best
Sharjah: Do you know why Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) can chase down massive targets with ease in the seventh edition of the Indian Premiere League? The answer is Glenn Maxwell and David Miller.
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KXIP overhauled a massive 205 against Chennai on Friday with ease, thanks to an unbelievable batting display by star Aussie all-rounder Glen Maxwell and clinical finish by South African middle order batsman David Miller. The duo were back at their best on Sunday, slaying the Rajasthan Royals' bowlers to chase down 192 and register another comfortable win.
The 2014 IPL 7 season kicked off in the UAE on April 16 because of the on-going Lok Sabha elections in India. RCB and KXIP are unbeaten, having won both their matches, but the Bangalore outfit are at the top of the points table on better net run-rate.
Kings Xi Punjab all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. Photo: AFP
However, there is no denying that the Punjab team, led by Australian T20I captain Goerge Bailey, has stolen the show with their awesome batting performances.
It is too premature to predict the outcome of the tournament, but KXIP is definitely a contender for the IPL 7 trophy.
David Miller. Photo: AFP
Maxwell and Miller have proved to be brilliant chasers with Maxwell setting the foundation and Miller completing the formalities with ease. Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were left dumbfounded by the duo's power-batting and the other teams will be wary of things to come when they take on Kings XI.
Maxwell has scored 184 runs in two matches with a strike rate of 209 to become the leading run scorer in IPL 7 season. Miller has hit 9 sixes, the most by a player in this year's IPL.
But the big question remains: How long will the duo be able to carry the momentum and create more destruction? It’s a long tournament and thanks to technological assistance, other teams will soon figure out a way to put the brakes on the KXIP duo.
KXIP have a formidable batting line-up with Virender Sehwag at the start followed by Maxwell, Miller and Bailey. What’s ominous for the other teams is that Sehwag and Bailey are yet to come to the party.
The bowling is a bit of a worry, though the line-up boasts leading Aussie speedster Michelle Johnson, experienced T20 medium pacer L Balaji and talented Punjab quickie Parvinder Awana.
The Punjab-boys have set the tone in the 2014 IPL edition and it will only get better when renowned power-hitters Kevin Pietersen (Delhi Daredevils) and Chris Gayle (Royal Challengers Bangalore) begin their campaign.
It’s been a highly entertaining display of batsmanship by Glen Maxwell and David Miller and cricket lovers will hope that the batting spectacle continues.