'Losing Maxwell a big blow for Kings XI Punjab'

- 'We will miss Maxwell’s presence and energy in the field.'

Kings XI Punjab coach Sanjay Bangar on Tuesday said losing Glenn Maxwell at the fag end of the ongoing Indian Premier League is a big blow to the team, which has already been eliminated from the play-offs.

However, this would give an opportunity to South African all-rounder Farhaan Behradien, who is an underrated player, but does a tremendous role as a finisher for the South African team, Bangar claimed.

"We will miss Maxwell’s presence and energy in the field, but have total faith in someone like Farhaan to step up and do the job that Maxwell was doing," he said on the eve of match against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Bengaluru.

On Hashim Amla's impressive showing in the last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad when he smashed a quickfire 96 from 56 balls, Bangar said the South African is a world class player and matched with the requirements of the team.

"He is a world class player who had not got the opportunity to play in the IPL. He was somebody who actually  matched with the requirements of the team as far as selection was concerned," he said.

On Murali Vijay's captaincy, Bangar said he is a bowlers' captain and the extra responsibility has also boosted his batting.

"The players, especially the bowlers, are feeling really comfortable with him. He is a bowler’s captain. There is a lot of communication going between him and the bowlers," he said.

"It has helped his batting flourish as well. This is his most successful season with us as a batsman. It augurs really well for us," he added.

Bangar said to have an Indian captain is an advantage because it gives the liberty to play with certain combination as far as the foreign players are concerned.

"An Indian captain gives you more option. This is, by no means, to underrate the foreign captains, but Indian captain always is an added advantage because it gives you the liberty to play with a certain combination as far as foreign players are concerned," he said.

Despite his team failing to advance to the play-offs, Bangar said he is very happy with his team's showing, especially in the second half of the tournament.

"The last six games we have played has gone to the wire and lost by very slim margins, which could have gone either way. I am very happy with the quality of cricket Kings XI Punjab have played in the last six games," he said.

Image: Glenn Maxwell of Kings XI Punjab

Photograph: BCCI