IPL  2018, KXIP vs RR: 5 talking points

#4 Spin trio works out well for Kings XI Punjab

Axar Patel bowled brilliantly tonight conceding just 21 runs and picked up a wicket as well

Unknown to many, Axar Patel's first IPL team was Mumbai Indians who signed the left-arm spinner ahead of IPL 2013. Having failed to make an appearance for the franchise, he moved to Kings XI Punjab in 2014 where he had an outstanding tournament picking up 17 wickets as well as the 'Emerging Player of the Year' award.

He has been an ever-present for the side ever since but the arrival of Ravichandran Ashwin and Mujeeb ur Rahman has made the going tough for Patel as he has been forced to sit on the sidelines for many matches during IPL 2018.

However, the Kings XI management has tried out their three frontline spinners together on a few occasions and while it has not always proved to be a successful decision, the plan worked out perfectly tonight.

All three spinners bowled economically as well as picked up wickets to curtail the Royals' scoring and the variety the three has to offer is always an advantage.

Also important is the fact that they are not afraid to bowl in the powerplay overs as well as in the death overs and it is perhaps a strategy that the Kings XI should stick especially considering their lack of options in the fast bowling department.