IPL 2016: Gujarat Lions' middle-order could have played better against KXIP, says Sitanshu Kotak

Rajkot: Gujarat Lions assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak feels said the 155-run target set by Kings XI Punjab could have been chased down despite losing their explosive opening duo early. “Our openers batted brilliantly so far in most of the matches. They didn’t click this time but the target could have been chased down by the middle-order,” Kotak said after Gujarat Lions suffered an upset 23-run loss to Kings XI Punjab in Rajkot on Sunday. [caption id=“attachment_2759810” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Gujarat Lions failed to chase KXIP’s target of 155. AFP[/caption] Despite the loss, Gujarat Lions continue to top table with 12 points. The Suresh Raina led side will now play in Rajkot on Tuesday. “After losing the openers early our middle-order could have played better to achieve the target, but it happens some times,” Kotak said. “Losing wickets early in the game cost us, we will try to find out the weak areas and will work on it.” Chasing a target of 155, Gujarat Lions were tottering at 39 for five at the end of seventh over and the match. But young Ishan Kisan (27) and James Faulkner (32) showed some resistance to help Gujarat Lions reach 131 for nine, 23 runs short of the target. Gujarat Lions left-arm chinaman bowler Shivil Kaushik, who took three wickets conceding only 20 runs from his four overs and the tweaker said he would have been more happy had the team won the game. “I am satisfied with my performance by taking wickets, but I could have been more happy if the team had won the match,” Kaushik said.