Hashim Amla defends Kings XI Punjab’s fielding in IPL 2017 loss to Gujarat Lions

Hashim Amla was the mainstay as Kings XI Punjab set Gujarat Lions a target of 190 in their IPL 2017 match, but in the end, pretty ordinary bowling and a number of dropped chances did his side in

This is second time this season that Kings XI Punjab’s in-form batsman Hashim Amla, despite scoring a century, has ended up on the losing side. (KXIP v GL HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD)

Kings XI Punjab batsman Hashim Amla reacts after completing his century during the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 match against Gujarat Lions at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Sunday. (AFP)

Earlier, against Mumbai Indians on April 20, Amla scored an unbeaten 104, but in the end Mumbai chased the target of 198 with enough balls to spare. (IPL 2017 FULL COVERAGE)

On Sunday too, Amla was the mainstay as Kings XI Punjab set a target of 190, but in the end pretty ordinary bowling and a number of dropped chances did his side in.

Pots match, Amla, who will be leaving for South Africa along with David Miller, said he was disappointed with the loss but credited tenacious Gujarat Lions for chasing a formidable target.

“Very disappointing to lose, 190 was a pretty decent score. You got to give credit to Gujarat Lions, the way they came out and the way they played positively, it negated the advantage we had early on,” Amla said.

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Kings XI Punjab will lose the services of both the Protea stars who are leaving for their country, for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England in run up to Champions Trophy starting May 24.

Amla said drop chances, which in the end cost Kings XI Punjab the match, were part and parcel of the game and sometimes the teams are bound to have an off day on the field.

“Dropped catches are part of the game. Everyone is going to drop some. Before this game, we had done exceptionally well in the field and (in) this one game, we haven’t been at the best. The fielders who dropped catches are all good and tonight we didn’t do well,” he said.

The loss didn’t dent the Kings XI Punjab chances of making the playoffs and they are still in hunt. But their next three matches are coming against the table toppers Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiant, making every match a do or die.

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Amla looking forward to the next three games of Kings XI Punjab, saying that the team has to find consistency.

“We will have to try and find the consistency. Any team which has to be successful has to be consistent and our bowlers have done exceptional job and tonight you got to give credit to Gujarat. Chasing or defending in Mohali is a big task. The wicket was playing good, I will not be too critical of our bowling,” he said.

Amla was humble about his knock also and said that over the past 10 years in IPL and also in T20, many batsman like him have scored runs and he is happy that he could get some.

“I am happy to score a few runs. What else, I can say but in T20 cricket everyone who plays has to find ways to maximizes scoring off each ball that they face. There are many examples of cricketers who have been successful despite not being agricultural as they say and it happens every time that someone scores runs, who is not a massive hitter of the ball,” he said.