Kings XI Punjab are virtually out of this year's Indian Premier League after the 24-run loss against Chennai Super Kings and skipper Yuvraj Singh has held his batsmen responsible, saying their inability to put on one good partnership did the side in on Wednesday.
Kings XI desperately needed a victory today to book their place in the last four, but while chasing a modest 116 they lost wickets at regular intervals and ultimately could only manage 92.
The Yuvraj Singh-led side still has a slender chance of making it to the semifinals but their fate largely depends upon the outcome of the last league match between Deccan Chargers and Royals Challengers Bangalore.
"It's pretty disappointing because we did need to win today to qualify for the semifinals but unfortunately couldn't do it. Unfortunately for us nobody got going," a disappointed Yuvraj said after the match.
"I think we had a decent start and just needed a partnership going. It was not a good wicket to bat on and was two paced.
"We needed one good partnership. The reason why we lost is because we never got a partnership; none of our batsmen scored 40 or 50 runs and that's the reason why we are in such a position today," he added.
Meanwhile, winning skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni lauded his bowlers, especially spinners for the victory.
"It was brilliant by the spinners, especially R Ashwin, as he was playing his first game in the tournament. Initially, Muralitharan put the pressure on the opposition. Raina also bowled well," he said.
"Our fast bowlers Manpreet Gony and Thilan Thushara gave us a good start," he added.
Dhoni, however, ruled out any major concerns in his batting department and said it was just an off-day for his batters.
"It is one of those games in which our batting didn't click. So there is nothing to worry about," he said.
Man-of-the-match Muttiah Muralitharan, who returned with match-winning figures of 4-0-8-2, said he just concentrated on line and length which paid rich dividends for him.
"I tried to bowl just line and length and got through wickets. But R Ashwin and Raina also supported well from the other end," he said.
