IPL 2024: Failure to Add on to Good Powerplay With Bat Cost Us - PBKS’ Charl Langeveldt on Defeat to GT

Punjab Kings bowling coach Charl Langeveldt has said the failure to convert the good start in powerplay with the bat cost the team following their 3-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in Mullanpur.

Punjab Kings made brisk start to reach 45 for no loss in five overs but their innings went downhill thereafter as they lost 7 for 47 runs to be all out for 142. GT overhauled the target in 19.1 overs. It was their sixth loss in eight games.

Following the result, Langeveldt, who said everyone is hurt, urged his middle-order batters to step up and "get more runs on the board", but acknowledged GT spinners were too good to handle for their batters.

"Disappointing. Players are hurt as well as the staff and the fans. We showed a lot of character with the ball. We had a good powerplay with the bat for the first time in three games but in the middle period," Langeveldt said at the post-match press conference.

"Their spinners were too quality for our batters and we struggled. We just need middle order upfront to get more runs. We were probably 20 runs short on that wicket."

While Gujarat Titans used their spinners well with the trio of Sai Kishore, Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad exposing the opposition with their guile, PBKS picked Harpreet Singh Bhatia as their Impact Player due to the batting collapse even as Rahul Chahar stayed on the bench.

Langeveldt has said even PBKS could have opted for a spinner as their Impact player, but after the batting collapse it was important to get some runs on the board to at least put a challenging total on the board.

"It was the idea, we could have another spinner [Rahul] Chahar to play in but obviously when you're batting and you've had a collapse like that, it's better to get the runs on board," Langeveldt added.

"That's something we want to improve, get more runs on the board. We are going to travel now and we are going to play on better batting wickets and that would give the batters a bit more confidence going into the last few games. We take every game like a semi-final, final but yeah, it's one of those things.

"The batters are definitely going to be happy about the next venue (Eden Gardens, Kolkata). The bowlers need to step up as well when we play at different venues, higher scoring grounds. Hopefully our batters will come good for us."

While PBKS are languishing on the second last position on the points table, Langeveldt tried to look at the positives as the team are set to play their remaining two matches at Dharamsala and four on the road.

"We still have to have that belief. We are a positive side, the boys showed a lot of character in the field. There's a lot to play for, we just need to win."

PBKS will next be in action against high-flying Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday (April 26) before they play again on May 1 against Chennai Super Kings in Chennai.

(With Agency inputs)