Kings XI Punjab batsmen put up their worst batting performance of the season to be shot out for 73 against Rising Pune Supergiant in a do—or-die final league encounter of the Indian Premier League, here today.

After the high of scoring 230 against Mumbai Indians in the last game, Kings XI Punjab’s campaign hit the worst note on a day when it mattered most.

They were all but out of the game from the very first delivery getting all-out in only 15.5 overs.

Axar Patel was the top-scorer with 22 runs while Wriddhiman Saha’s 13 was the next best.

Shardul Thakur (3/19 in 4 overs) was the pick of the bowlers but got fantastic support from Jaydev Unadkat (2/12 in 3 overs), Adam Zampa (2/22 in 3.5 overs) and Dan Cristian (2/10 in 2 overs).

Even Ben Stokes (0/10 in 3 overs) looked dangerous as he beat the bat a number of times.

Martin Guptill (0) uppishly drove to Manoj Tiwary at short cover off the very first delivery from Unadkat.

Shaun Marsh (13) hit a couple of boundaries before he failed to clear Steve Smith at mid-off. He didn’t fully commit to the drive and failed to get the elevation.

Unadkat was again in the game when his direct throw found Eoin Morgan (4) short of his crease.

Rahul Tewatia (4) hit a square drive and then mistimed a pull from Shardul Thakur. Tewatia to his horror, found Unadkat stationed at short fine leg dived full stretch to take the catch.

Within a couple of deliveries, Glenn Maxwell flicked straight to Ajinkya Rahane at deep square leg boundary.

At 32 for 5, it was all over for the Kings XI as none of the batsmen showed any stomach for a fight.

Wriddhiman had opened the batting and from the other end, saw wickets falling like ninepins. Finally, he was out trying to steer Cristian with Dhoni taking a regulation catch.

It was a formality as Zampa polished off the tail with 25 deliveries remaining unconsumed.

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