Picture : Twitter / IPL
On a hot humid conditions in Mohali, Kings XI Punjab came up with a fine all – round show to beat the fancied Mumbai Indians by 8 wickets. It was the second win for the Kings while for Mumbai it was the second loss.
Kings skipper Ravichandran Ashwin won the toss and put Mumbai in and his bowlers did a good job to restrict the Mumbai Indians. They controlled the proceeding and did not allow the Mumbai batsmen to get away to a big total.
Mumbai managed to get to 176/ 7 thanks to Quinton De Kock. The South African opener in fine form hit a 39 ball 60 . Later towards the end Hardik Pandya 31 off 19 balls helped Mumbai cross the 170 mark. The rest of the batting di not impress. Yuvraj Singh struggled for slow 18 off 22 balls, Rohit Sharma promised much but failed to capitalise on the start 32 off 18 balls.
For the kings , spinners Murugan Ashwin was the star with 2/ 25 ( 4 overs) along with Ravichandran Ashwin 0/ 26 ( 4 overs) choked the Mumbai run flow. Their seam attack too bowled well Mohammed Shami (2/40 in 4 overs), Andrew Tye (1/40 in 4 overs) and muscular South African Hardus Viljoen (2/40 in 4 overs) were the wicket- takers.
Chasing 177, the Kings looked calm and assured as opener Chris Gayle and K L Rahul went out the chase without any hurry. Gayle opened up after settling down with series of power sixes . Rahul on the other hand was keen to spend time in the middle to get some form and confidence after his two previous flops. The pair put on 53 for the first wicket. Gayle scored 40 off 24 balls.
Mayank Agarwal scored a quick 41 off 23 balls before he was out. K L Rahul after a slow start anchored the innings to remain unbeaten on 71 off 57 balls to see the Kings home in 18. 4 overs along with unbeaten David Miller on 15 . Kings reached 177 / 2.
Mumbai bowlers had an off day , Mitchell McClenaghan 0/ 35 ( 4 overs) Krunal Pandya took two wickets but was on the expensive side with 2/ 43 ( overs) Hardik Pandya too flopped with the ball 0/ 39 ( 3 overs), Jasprit Bumrah 0 / 23 (3. 4 overs)
