Kings XI Punjab captain George Bailey heaped praise on Glenn Maxwell and Thisara Perera after the five-wicket win against Hobart Hurricanes in Mohali and promised his team will get better in the Champions League T20.
- CLT20: Maxwell, Perera help Kings XI start on a winning note
"A terrific innings from Maxy (Glenn Maxwell) and TP (Thisara Perera) there, it takes some courage to come out when your team is in a bit of trouble and go for your shots," said Bailey, who stayed unbeaten alongside Perera (30 runs off 25 balls) to take the past Hurricanes 144 for six in 17.4 overs.
Kings had a disastrous start to their chase with Virender Sehwag caught at third man off Doug Bollinger (2-30) on the very first ball. The hosts, high on international stars, were expected to chase down the target easily but the Hurricanes bowlers dashed that expectation by making the opposition batsmen uncomfortable through sheer pace.
Bailey (34 off 27), who plays for Hurricanes in the Big Bash League back home, was as kind to his Australian team as the one he is going to captain in the tournament.
"I think Hobart have a very nice team, they lost today but they can challenge," he said of the team which is also playing its first CLT20.
Hurricanes skipper Tim Paine said: "We didn't get off to a good start with the bat but with the ball we gave it a good crack."
Bailey lauded the effort put by Kings bowlers, especially medium pacer Anureet Singh.
"Anureet Singh didn't get much of a chance in the IPL with a broken thumb, he was outstanding with the ball, that one over at the death. We (Kings XI) slotted back in really quickly, not our best game with the bat but we will get better."
