Abu Dhabi: Mumbai Indians beat Kings XI Punjab by 48 runs on Thursday (October 1) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Chasing a target of 192, KXIP started well getting 37 in four overs before Mayank Agarwal was bowled by Jasprit Bumrah for a breezy 25 off 18.
Karun Nair went shortly after for a duck before skipper KL Rahul followed suit for just 17 off 19 balls. Nicholas Pooran looked like he would take the game away but went hard chasing a wide delivery outside off-stamp off James Pattinson, for a rapid 44 off 27 balls, edging it to Quinton de Kock behind the stumps who made no mistake.
Glenn Maxwell continued his disappointing form as made just 11 of 18 balls as Punjab struggled to put up any sort of fight finishing the at 143/8 in 20 overs. Mumbai’s bowlers kept building up pressure with great efficiency throughout the innings ensuring their side’s victory.
Their talisman Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers chipping in with two wickets while giving away just 18 runs. Also, both the spinners Rahul Chahar and Krunal Pandya proved to be economical especially in those middle overs with Chahar getting the wicket of Rahul.
Earlier in the match, Rahul won the toss and chose to bowl first. Mumbai got hit early with De Kock bowled by Sheldon Cotrell in the first over before Surya Kumar Yadav getting run out for just 10. Ishan Kishan along with skipper Rohit started rebuilding the innings but Kishan found it difficult to score as the Punjab bowlers kept it tight. He scored 28 runs off 32 balls.
With just 83 runs on the board in 13 overs, Rohit decided to break the shackles hitting James Neesham for 22 runs while bringing up his fifty but got out in the next over for a well made 70 off 45 balls trying to hit Shami straight over long-off with Maxwell taking a stunning catch.
With the scoreboard needed to accelerate, Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya both started to smack the ball all around the park. The man from Trinidad scored 47 of just 20 balls hitting three back to back sixes in the final over. Hardik gave him good support with a quick-fire 30 off 11 balls ensuring Mumbai reach 191/4 in 20 overs.
Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians 191/4 (Rohit Sharma 70, Kieron Pollard 47; Sheldon Cottrell 1/20) beat Kings XI Punjab 143/8 (Nicolas Pooran 44, Mayank Agarwal 25; Jasprit Bumrah 2/18) by 48 runs.
