Chennai: Mumbai Indians (MI)’s middle and lower order batting failed again when the defending champions succumbed here on Friday at MA Chidambaram Stadium before their second consecutive loss in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Punjab Kings (PBKS) beat them by nine wickets by 14 balls to secure their second win of the season.
While MI also struggled with the bat in previous games, but they managed to set up scores with which they could fight. In the last two games, however, they could not even reach 140, which led to losses. On Friday, they were limited to their lowest total of the season – 131 for six in 20 overs, despite Rohit Sharma getting 63.
Sharma’s 63 (52 balls, 5x4s, 2x6s) was the highest individual score for MI this season and only the second half for the franchise after Suryakumar Yadav’s 56 in an earlier game. However, even when Sharma tried to anchor the innings, the batsmen of the PBKS bowlers restricted the innings.
PBKS ‘decision to make a change in this match – playing Ravi Bishnoi in place of co-spinner Murugan Ashwin – was justified when the Rajasthan bowler took two wickets for 21 in his four overs.
The tempo bowler Mohammed Shami impressed especially during the death and also took two for 21 in his four overs. After Quinton de Kock (3) was earlier dismissed by outside spinner Deepak Hooda, Bishnoi removed Ishan Kishan (6) in the first over after leaving a power play that left MI struggling at 26 for two after seven overs.
A 79-run partnership for the third wicket in exactly nine overs between Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav (33 off 27 balls) sparked the innings and provided a platform for the two and the incoming hardliners to put up a competitive and big total. set.
However, it did not have to be. Good performance by bowlers Mohammed Shami (2/21 in four overs), Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh (1/28 in three overs) in the overs, managed the batting of MI to reach 150. The last four overs have conceded just 26 runs for MI even when they lost four wickets.
The target was easy for Punjab Kings, even though the batting of the franchise in the tournament was contradictory. The low target has no pressure on starters KL Rahul (60 not with 52 balls; 3x4s, 3x6s) and Mayank Agarwal (25 off 20 balls; 4x4s, 1x6s) and Mayank Agarwal (25 off 20 balls; 4x4s, 1x6s) and 53 in just over seven overs. The dismissal of Agarwal may have given MI hope, but Chris Gayle (43 not out of 35 balls; 5x4s, 2x6s) returned and added unbeaten 79 in 62 balls for the second wicket with captain Rahul.
Both PBKS and MI have two wins from five games, with MI one place ahead of PBKS in fourth place due to a better net run rate.
Short counts: Mumbai Indians 131/6 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 63, S Yadav 33, M Shami 2/21, R Bishnoi 2/21) vs Punjab Kings 132/1 in 17.4 overs (KL Rahul 60 not out, C Gayle 43 not out)
Source: Telangana Today