IPL 2018, RR vs KXIP: 5 talking points

#3 Early strikes jolt KXIP's run-chase

Gowtham got rid of Chris Gayle and Ravichandran Ashwin early on to put Kings XI Punjab under pressure

Kings XI's success on the batting front has largely been down to their openers and it was not surprising to see the hosts continue with their successful gameplan as they set out to chase down 159 against the Royals tonight.

KL Rahul was the match-winner for Kings XI as they chased down a similar target against the same opposition just a couple of days earlier but this time around, Ravichandran Ashwin's side found the going tough as they lost three wickets early on with just 19 runs on the board.

Chris Gayle was the first to go with Royals executing a well-planned move to perfection. Krishnappa Gowtham fired in a ball down the leg side to have the big-hitting West Indian out stumped as he raced down the wicket while the Kings XI skipper's decision to promote himself as a pinch-hitter failed spectacularly as he was out bowled for a golden duck.

Despite the loss of wickets, Karun Nair was intent on stepping out of the crease and paid the price for his over-confidence as he fell to Jofra Archer to leave the hosts reeling at 19/3.

KL Rahul was still out in the middle but it was just the kind of start Kings XI fans would have been dreading in a run-chase.