Chennai: Punjab Kings finally ended their losing streak as they beat Mumbai Indians by nine wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday(April 23).
On a surface where spinners were running havoc, KL Rahul (60 not out) alongside Chris Gayle (43 not out) showed great composure helping Punjab get to the target of 132 with fourteen deliveries to spare after Mumbai Indians posted 131/6 in 20 overs.
𝐌𝐈ssion accomplished 😎#SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #IPL2021 #PBKSvMI pic.twitter.com/b97DbX61PS
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 23, 2021
Punjab despite the early loss of Mayank Agarwal (25) looked in complete control in the run-chase. Skipper Rahul and Gayle initially were much more cautious largely due the spinning duo of Rahul Chahar (1/19) and Jayant Yadav.
It was Chahar who was possessing more threat having picked up the dangerous Agarwal. Gayle though played rather contrasting innings in order to comfortably chase the target without much hardships while being the usual anchorman. Rahul willowed a gritty 52-ball knock keeping his side in the hunt for the win.
With 17 needed of the last three overs, Gayle and Rahul hit a maximum each of Trent Boult before the Punjab skipper fittingly hit the winning boundary sending his side to 132/1 in 17.4 overs.
Earlier, Mumbai again experienced another batting collapse. An early loss of Quinton de Kock and Ishan Kishan meant Mumbai had to change their overall approach to the game. A crucial 79-run stand between skipper Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav sent Mumbai to 105/2 in 16 overs before the middle collapse started.
While Rohit scored a gritty 52 ball 63, the Pandya brothers went home for a single digit scores.Mohammed Shami(2/21) finally got back to his groove while youngster Ravi Bishnoi on his first apperance of this season had a great outing with the same figures as his seaming partner.Moses Henriques and Deepak Hooda to added pressure restricting Mumbai to 131/6 in 20 overs.
Bishnoi’s inclusion in place of Murugan Ashwin proved fruitful while Hooda (1/15). However, as for Mumbai, they again failed to put up a big score and despite their bowling supremacy this season, the target seemed way too to difficult for them to defend.
Brief Scores: Punjab Kings 132/1 in 17.4 overs (KL Rahul 60 not out, Chris Gayle 43 not out; Rahul Chahar 1/19) beat Mumbai Indians 131/6 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 63, Suryakumar Yadav 33; Ravi Bishoi 2/21, Mohammed Shami 2/21) by 9 wickets.
