IPL 2020: Virat Kohli lauds Mandeep Singh's heroic knock against KKR

Mandeep Singh hails from Jalandhar and has been playing for Punjab, in the domestic circuit, since 2010. To date, he has played for three franchise in the Indian Premier League, having begun his career with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2010.

Mandeep Singh played a heroic knock of an unbeaten 66, as he allowed Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) to tame his former side Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), in Match 46 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in Sharjah. The win also allowed KXIP to claim the fourth spot in the table, thus going past KKR.

Meanwhile, the knock impressed the skipper of his former franchise, Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Kohli was all praise for Mandeep, who played a glorifying knock despite being under mental pressure on the personal front, having lost his father a couple of days.

"The most genuinely happy cricketer I know. To do what you've done in this testing time in because of your faith in life and your positive attitude. Well played Shera. He's blessing you from above @mandeeps12 Lion-Hearted," Kohli wrote on his Instagram story.

Although Mandeep is aged 28, Kohli understood the sentiments of Mandeep. It was in 2006 when Kohli, who was 18 back then, had lost his father, while he was playing for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy. While he was unbeaten on 40 overnight, he turned it into a well-deserved 90, as Delhi avoided a follow-on.

Mandeep played a similar heroic knock, rightfully supported by Windies veteran Chris Gayle, who scored a 29-ball 51. It was Gayle's explosive batting that allowed Mandeep to play freely, as both contributed to a 100-run stand for the second wicket.

KXIP, along with RCB, have never won the IPL title to date. While RCB are placed third, above KXIP, for now, both would not only look to qualify for the playoffs but all the way to the final, to stand a chance to win their maiden title.