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'Kings XI Punjab have got rid of the opening match hoodoo'
Kings XI Punjab had never won their opening match in the IPL before their eight-wicket victory over Pune Warriors on Sunday and captain Adam Gilchrist is relieved that his side has got rid of the hoodoo.
"Kings XI Punjab have never won their opening match in the IPL earlier. That is the hoodoo we have got rid of. Every team hopes to start a tournament with a win and so we are going towards the right direction," Gilchrist said after the match.
He said his side did everything right in all departments of the game.
"It's a great start in the tournament and all the players showed the right intentions whether in batting, bowling and fielding," said the former Australian captain.
'What a catch Gurkeerat had'
Gilchrist praised Gurkeerat Singh for his brilliant catch to dismiss dangerous Pune Warriors batsman Ross Taylor and also patted IPL debutant Manan Vohra who scored an unbeaten 43 to take KXIP to victory.
"What a catch Gurkeerat had and every player fielded with great intention.
"Manan played with same intention and scored quickly. We know how important the run rate becomes towards the end of the tournament. The players adjusted to the conditions really well," he said.
'I felt good as the innings progressed'
Man-of-the-match Manan Vohra said that he was nervous in his debut IPL match but happy that he could contribute for the team's cause.
"I was very nervous before the start, butterflies in my stomach. I felt good as the innings progressed. The wicket got better during the course of the innings. I am really happy that I could contribute to the team's win," Vohra said.
Asked what the senior team-mates told him before the match, Vohra said, "They said just go and enjoy and play your natural game freely just like in a practice game."
'We can only get better from here'
A disappointed Pune Warriors captain Angelo Mathews said that his side could not have played worse than today's match.
"It's disappointing, can't get any worse than this. Batting let us down again. We need to sort out our intent and attitude towards the first six overs, that sets up the whole innings," he said.
"The pitch was a bit up and down and slow as well. It was not conducive to play shots," he added. The Warriors had lost their opening match of the tournament against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday. Mathews, however, said that his side would bounce back in the event.
"We can only get better from here. There are 14 more games to go and we have to be positive and put in our efforts together," he said.