We have pride to play for, asserts Murali Vijay

With Kings XI Punjab's 2016 Indian Premier League campaign all but over, Murali Vijay, the skipper of side, said his team will play for pride in the remaining two games and look to bow out with their head held high.

"We got to put up a show (because) individually and as a team we have a lot at stake," Vijay said on Sunday (May 15) after Kings XI lost their eighth game of the season and their last one at home at the PCA Stadium in Mohali.

We have pride to play for, asserts Murali Vijay

Table-toppers Surisers Hyderabad handed the hosts a seven-wicket defeat in a successful run-chase of 179. While David Warner laid the platform with his sixth half-century of the season, local hero Yuvraj Singh's 24-ball cameo worth 42 sealed the game in visitors' favour. With eight points from 12 concluded games, Kings XI are languishing at the seventh spot in the points tally, with away games against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rising Pune Supergaints to go next.

"For pride's sake, we've got to play there and put up a good show against RCB and one more game in the end, against Pune. Hopefully, we can put up a good show."

Vijay also heaped praise on Hashim Amla, whose 56-ball effort worth 96 runs gave the home team a competitive total. "He is a world class player and the way he played on this kind of wicket is really great to watch from outside. And (there is) lots of things to learn from him. Obviously, to come up on the wrong side in the end (you feel) a little sad for him and for his knock. Hopefully, we can take it on the chin and play a couple of more games with a lot more pride," Vijay explained. 

Amla, roped in after a back injury ruled Shaun Marsh out of the remainder of the tournament, scored his maiden IPL half-century to help Kings XI to 179 for 4 from their quota of overs, only to see the bowlers throw the game away.

We have pride to play for, asserts Murali Vijay

The Kings XI bowlers, however, had a rare off day in the field and the team paid a heavy price for the slip-up. But the captain backed his men and credited the Sunrisers' batters - especially Yuvraj - for snatching the game despite a mammoth target. "I thought they batted well, to be honest. We were in the game till the 15th-16th over. And when Yuvi came, we missed out on the plans," he said. "Obviously, we need to rethink about it. This is what we are going to face in the future games, in the pressure situation what we are going to do. I cannot be harsh on my bowlers because they've been brilliant throughout the season. One off-game like this does happen," the 32-year-old added.

Reflecting on Kings XI's doomed campaign, Vijay blamed the team's struggle to find the right combination at the start of the season that resulted in a terrible outing. "There are a lot of variables (but) we should have started well in the tournament to have a chance in the end. At the end, almost all the teams are set with their playing XI. They are going to come hard at us," he reasoned.

"I personally thought we have a good set up. We have a good bunch of guys who could win matches in their own right. It didn't click for us this season. We can take the positives from this season and come back and play better cricket next season," Vijay signed off on a positive note.

We have pride to play for, asserts Murali Vijay