In their last home game tonight, Mumbai Indians battled Kings XI Punjab at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai and defeated the visitors.
As the hosts were put to bat first, the openers got off to a good start but failed to convert it into a good partnership. Together they added 37 runs to the Indians’ total. Just when they looked to settle down, Punjab bowler Andrew Tye swept the middle order by taking wickets in consecutive overs and left Indians at 71-4.
The match looked to tilt towards Punjab but then came Kieron Pollard and along with Krunal Pandya to stabilise the innings for Mumbai.
The KP-duo stitched a 65-run partnership and Pollard went on to hit a crucial half-century. His fifty was scored at just 23 balls and Krunal Pandya scored 32 runs. With the duo’s efforts, Mumbai reached a total of 186 runs.
Andrew Tye finished with four wickets to his account and was the most impressive bowler for Punjab.
With the target of 187 to chase, the visitors started on a good note but lost their opener, Chris Gayle in the fourth over at the score of 34 runs. However, KL Rahul kept the hope up for Punjab and scored another half-century. He put together a 111-run partnership with Aaron Finch who scored 46 runs.
But Jasprit Bumrah penetrated the partnership and Punjab were left with the 38 runs to hit in 18 balls. The match was drifting away from Punjab but Rahul was in no mood to lose and hit some quick runs. Soon, in the 19th over Rahul lost his wicket to Bumrah. His score of 94 runs couldn't ensure victory for his team. Bumrah was the top bowler for Indians as he scalped three wickets.
Punjab needed 17 runs in the last over and McCleneghan bowled the last over, which was a thriller and Mumbai clinched the victory from Punjab by three runs.
With this defeat, Kings XI Punjab are now out of the race to the playoffs.
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