IPL 2018: Match 50, Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab - Match Report

The defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) held their nerves in the dying moments to beat Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) by three runs at the Wankhede Stadium to keep their hopes alive for qualifying for the playoffs of IPL 2018.

Meanwhile, Punjab will be disappointed after losing the control of the match at the dying moments of the game.

Batting first, Mumbai got off to a flier, courtesy inform Suryakumar Yadav. However, Punjab drew first blood in the fourth over when Andre Tye (four for 16) bamboozled Evin Lewis’ (9) stumps.

Tye continued with his fiery spell, as he reduced Mumbai to 71 for four in the ninth over. Since then, Kieron Pollard started to rebuild the inning partnering Krunal Pandya. The pair added 65 runs to revamp the Mumbai innings. Pandya continued his rich form, as he struck five boundaries and three sixes.

However, he fell shortly scoring 32 runs to Marcus Stoinis, although Pollard continued with his onslaught.

The Windies all-rounder reached his first fifty of the season, as he took Mumbai over the 150-run mark. His knock came in just 23 balls with the help of five boundaries and three massive sixes.

Moreover, a late cameo from Mitchell McClenaghan helped Mumbai post 186 runs on the board. Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin provided good support, as he returned with two for 18 from his three overs.

In reply, Punjab lost their Windies superstar, Chris Gayle (18) early at the score of 34 runs. Since then KL Rahul and Aaron Finch added 111 runs for the second wicket to take their closer to the victory.

KL Rahul continued his outstanding form, as he once again took the onus on himself to do the job. However, two quick wickets in the single over by Jasprit Bumrah shifted the momentum to the host.

The Lions lost their set batsman Finch (46) and Marcus Stoinis (1) to shift the gears. However, Rahul ensured they keep on par with the required run-rate. With 23 runs needed off the last 12 balls, Bumrah (three for 15) removed Rahul (94) to shift things in their favour again.

Meanwhile, with 17 runs needed off the last six balls, Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma handed the ball to the Kiwi star, McClenaghan. He stood upto the occasion to bring two crucial points for the reigning champions.

As a result, Mumbai jumps up to the fourth spot with 12 points from 13 games with a healthy run-rate.

Brief Score: MI 186/8 ( Pollard 50, Tye 4/16) beats KXIP (Rahul 94, Bumrah 3/15) by three runs.

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