IPL 8 MI vs KXIP: Mumbai crushed in own backyard, first win for Kings XI
Mumbai: Rohit Sharma never looked more untailored as he did against Kings XI Punjab here on Sunday. His quiet walk back to the pavilion – after being trapped leg-before by Sandeep Sharma, reflected the misery that awaited Mumbai Indians. Though tail-enders Jagadeesha Suchith and Harbhajan Singh almost turned the tide, but the hosts fell short of 18 runs chasing 178 for victory during match 7 of the Indian Premier League at the Wankhede in Mumbai on Sunday.
Captain George Bailey is the 'Man of the Match' tonight. Congratulations captain. #KXIP #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) April 12, 2015
At one stage, when Mumbai were reeling at 23/3, it reminded of New Zealand’s disastrous outing at Chittagong against Sri Lanka in 2014 where chasing 120, the Kiwis were bundled out for 60. Nonetheless, none of the Mumbai batsmen could handle the pace of Mitchell Johnson. Even Sandeep Sharma, who finished with handsome figures (4-1-12-1) was tricky.
Johnson pinched the Men in Blue further by rattling Aaron Finch (8) in his first wicket maiden over. Wicketkeeper Aditya Tare fell to Anureet Singh soon when Mumbai’s star all-rounder Corey Anderson arrived.
(Photo: BCCI)
When it looked that the southpaw might just end up being the local hero, Axar Patel beat him to let the ball touch Wriddhiman Saha’s gloves. He could only manage five runs.
It's happening tonight. If we fail to get the wicket, we get it on very next ball. @akshar2026 gets Pollard. #KXIP #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) April 12, 2015
Kieron Pollard, Ambati Rayudu both had starts but ran out of steam gradually. But Harbhajan and Suchith put up a brave fight adding 100 runs for the seventh wicket. While the man with the turban slammed a 19-ball 50 before falling for 64 (6 sixes and 5 boundaries), Suchith held his nerve to an unbeaten 34.
(Photo: BCCI)
Among the bowlers, Johnson (4-1-23-2) and Patel (4-0-30-2) stood out. Earlier, Virender Sehwag took a leaf out of his younger days and displayed gritty strokeplay. He flicked, drove, sliced the white with the same vigour when he opened the batting with Sachin Tendulkar for Team India.
(Photo: BCCI)
However, his stay in the middle was cut short by Harbhajan after Pollard completed the task at long-on. But Sehwag had done the damage. He scored 36 off 19 balls, that included six boundaries and a sixer. Glenn Maxwell – Australia’s World Cup hero – is yet to deliver in the IPL. He fell cheaply to youngster Suchith who claimed his first wicket. Rayudu took a sitter at deep midwicket.
Vijay continued with his good form and kept the scoreboard ticking. His brimming confidence was visible from the first over itself when he played a spectacular pull off Kumar. But Harbhajan rose to the occasion once again and showed him the door.
(Photo: BCCI)
Lasith Malinga, the one-time dreaded speedster from Sri Lanka has run out of gas. Coming as first change, he conceded 11 runs and was taken off. But he bounced back in his next spell with two wickets.
R Vinay Kumar’s heroics seems only limited to domestic cricket. He broke a bat in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders and on Monday, the bat broke his economy rate.
The seamer offered a lot of room for the KXIP batters to have a go at him. And even after knowing Sehwag’s strengths, he kept giving him width on the off-side.
(Photo: BCCI)
But captain George Bailey ensured Punjab got to a competitive total. He played his natural game and kept finding gaps, along with David Miller for company. Bailey remained unbeaten on 61 of 32 balls with four boundaries and three sixes.
For Mumbai, the bowler who stood out was Harbhajan who finished with 20 runs off four overs with two wickets.
However, this was Mumbai’s second loss in a row in the tournament and Punjab’s first win.
Brief scores: Kings XI Punjab 177/5 in 20 overs (G Bailey 61*, V Sehwag 36, M Vijay 35; H Singh 2/20, L Malinga 2/34) beat Mumbai Indians 159/7 in 20 overs (H Singh 64, J Suchith 34*; M Johnson 2/23, A Patel 2/30) by 18 runs
