Missing out on top four after CSK performance tough to take, says Chris Jordan

Punjab Kings (PBKS) fast-bowler Chris Jordan admitted that it was tough for the players to accept their inability to qualify for the playoffs of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. The Punjab-based franchise recorded a comprehensive win against four-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with seven overs to spare in their final encounter of the ongoing edition. The triumph gave them an outside chance of qualifying for the playoffs. However, it did not result in anything concrete after the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) thrashed Rajasthan Royals (RR) a few hours later, thereby eliminating the Punjab-based franchise.

“Just a shame”

“It is quite tough to take. We’ve been doing so many great things as a team. Our planning and everything has been on point to play a game like we did today, it’s just a shame it came so late in the tournament. The type of performance you saw today was what we’ve been striving for the entire season, but it just didn’t quite happen,” stated Jordan as quoted by PBKS’ official website.

“But that’s life. You obviously have to move from it as quickly as possible. However, we can still take some positives from it for every single player, and hopefully long may that type of performance continue,” he added.

Skipper KL Rahul showcased his prowess, smashing an unbeaten 98 off just 42 balls. Rahul played shots all over the park and fearlessly took on the opposition bowlers, earning much acclaim.

“KL is a world class batsman. It’s such a joy to watch him play. I first played with him when I was at RCB in 2016, and even then some of the shots he played I knew he was a class apart. Even today, it felt like anytime he felt like hitting a six he just took it, no matter where the ball was. He can play in various situations and is more or less a 360 degree player as well. It’s just great to see him go out there today and lead from the front and get us over the line in a timely fashion,” concluded Jordan.

Defending champions Mumbai Indians fail to qualify for playoffs

Defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) were another outfit that failed to qualify for the playoffs. Skipper Rohit Sharma discussed the same, admitting that his team’s inability to kick off the UAE leg of IPL 2021 in an appropriate manner came back to haunt them.

“To be honest, yes, it was difficult to start. Like I said, we had a couple of injuries in the squad, among the guys who go out to play usually. Those guys were missing. We just didn’t play as a team to start with and collectively, as a group, we didn’t come together. That was the main reason for us not qualifying. When you’ve to win games, championships, everyone has to win collectively together. That is what we’ve been doing successfully in the last few years, that’s the hallmark of this team, to come collectively and perform. We don’t rely on one or two individuals at any given stage. We always believe in everyone coming together and chipping in with those performances. That didn’t happen this year.”