Things aren’t working out very well for Kings XI Punjab team, and one can say it without question that Kings have fallen on hard times. After bagging five wins out of first six games, they managed to clinch just one from the rest six matches. Overall, they have posted six wins out of 12 games. They are now in danger of missing out on playoff berth if they fail to win the final two games. Skipper Ashwin has a tough job to do now.

Post the embarrassing loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the last game, KXIP skipper Ashwin was extremely disheartened on his team’s performance. Ashwin’s team were bowled out for just 88 on the same pitch where KKR had demolished the same Punjab attack to score 245 in the last encounter.

After the early loss of openers KL Rahul and Chris Gayle against RCB, Punjab’s inconsistent and out-of-form middle-order struggled to get going. The last five wickets fell for just 10 runs with three run-outs and Punjab were bowled out for 88. After the match presentation ceremony, “Disappointing. (It) Wasn’t a professional effort at all. That’s been the story.”

Followed by that, even in the press conference, Ashwin was critical of his team. He said, “We are not one of the top champion sides to be very honest.”

On the whole, Punjab batting has let them down. Apart from Chris Gayle and KL Rahul, none of the other batsmen have shown the application to score runs. The middle-order has deliberately failed and ended up hurting Punjab’s chances.

Now, criticism has started pouring in on to the player and KXIP team management has asked R Ashwin to step down from captaincy and concentrate on his bowling. KL Rahul, who has been in brilliant form so far in IPL 2018, has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the team for the two crucial leagues matches.

However, there is no official statement from the management, and it is believed that they might not take such drastic decision for the last two matches.