We haven't applied ourselves in terms of getting results - Ashwin

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Kings XI Punjab has been knocked out from the IPL in 2018 after they lost to Chennai Super Kings by 5 wickets. It was not only a must-win game for KXIP but also they needed to win it by 53 plus runs to qualify for the playoffs. However, it became even more difficult after they restricted to below par score of 153 after putting to bat first.

Chennai Super Kings chased down the target in 19.1 over after Suresh Raina's match-winning knock of 61* off 48 balls.



It was hard to understand that KXIP could not qualify for the playoffs as they were on top after the first half of the season where they won 5 out of 7 matches they played. But it was their middle order failure which let them down badly. Skipper Ravichandran Ashwin also thinks that their middle order did not play well at all which was expected.

"Rahul and Gayle were making most of the runs but the middle order did not click at all which was expected, which hurt us in the latter half of the tournament. Ankit did very well and of course, KL was amazing. We have Purple Cap holder in Tye as well. So loads of positive but we have not applied ourselves. We have not commanded any respect at all in terms of getting a result on our own terms," said Ashwin in the post-match presentation.

However, Ashwin thinks that their loss against Royal Challengers Bangalore cost them a lot where they lost by 10-wickets.



"The game against RCB cost a lot. Not only in terms of the run-rate but especially in terms of moral. We were not really there in terms of performance on such a day. But CSK were better today. A good team culture will help us win tournaments in future. So would like to build that culture slowly in this new look franchise and we will look to do much better next time,".

KXIP's loss takes Rajasthan Royals through playoffs where they were waiting for this match to be in their favour. Now they will join SRH, CSK and KKR in playoffs.

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