Mohali: Kings XI Punjab batsman David Miller has heaped praise on captain Ravichandran Ashwin for his all-round skills, saying the wily operator has been a huge asset for the team.
Ashwin and opener KL Rahul played pivotal roles as Kings XI produced a superb all-round performance to script a comfortable 12-run win over Rajasthan Royals in a second leg IPL clash to bring their campaign back on track Tuesday.
Rahul hit a 47-ball 52, while Ashwin (2/24) smashed 17 off four balls in the last over and then took two crucial wickets as KXIP bounced back after successive losses in the last two matches to record their fifth win this IPL.
“(Skipper) Ashwin has contributed extremely well with bat and bowl,” Miller told a post-match press conference here.
The South African said that it is not just with his bowling, but Ashwin has also chipped in with useful contributions with the bat putting the team in good positions.
“His bowling has been extremely good. His economy rate has been really low and he’s got wickets as well,” Miller added. “He has been a huge asset in our bowling department and again tonight he bowled really well and it was great performance leading from the front.”
The other spinner Murugan Ashwin also bowled well, earning a scalp besides giving away 24 runs from his four overs.
“We tried to use big side of the boundary to advantage. Both Ashwins bowled extremely well, they kept us in the game in that middle period… Rajasthan needed 50 odd in the last three overs, but our bowlers did their job and we are happy with that,” said Miller.
He said that it was an overall good team performance with contributions in all the three departments of the game.
PTI