In the 34th game of IPL 2018, Mumbai Indians (MI) claimed an important 6-wicket victory (with 6 balls to spare) against the hosts Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at Holkar Cricket Stadium (Indore). KXIP put a total of 174/6 in 20 overs which were successfully chased down by the visiting side in 19 overs after losing 4 wickets.
Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma decided to field first after winning the toss. KXIP once again had a good start as KL Rahul and Chris Gayle put another superb 54-run opening partnership. While KL Rahul scored 24 runs, Chris Gayle (50 runs) completed the half-century before getting caught out.
Since their dismissals, next batsmen failed to play big innings. While Yuvraj Singh and Axar Patel managed to score only 14 and 13 runs respectively, Karun Nair scored a fast 23 runs off just 12 balls.
In the very end of the innings, Marcus Stoinis played an important unbeaten 29 runs knock off just 15 balls as he scored 21 runs in the final over with 2 fours and 2 sixes. In the last over of that innings, Hardik Pandya conceded total 22 runs as KXIP managed to score 174/6 in 20 overs.
Among the MI bowlers, Mitchell McClenaghan (1/31), Jasprit Bumrah (1/19), Hardik Pandya (1/44) and Mayank Markande (1/29) got one wicket each.
In reply, while Mumbai lost their opener Evin Lewis (10) fell cheaply, other batsmen contributed important runs for victory. Another opener Suryakumar Yadav scored a brilliant half-century as he was caught behind after scoring 57 runs.
Next batsmen Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya got good starts but failed to convert in long innings as Kishan was dismissed for 25 while Hardik scored 23 runs. In that important situation, Mumbai needed a good partnership which was provided by skipper Rohit Sharma and Krunal Pandya.
Coming to bat at no.5, Rohit was unbeaten on 24 runs off just 15 balls while no.6 batsman elder Pandya was not out with the smashing knock of 31 runs off just 12 balls. Their unbroken 56-run partnership for the fifth wicket helped the team to secure a crucial victory in this season as MI chased down the target in 19 overs after losing 4 wickets.
Among the hosts’ bowlers, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/37) picked up two wickets while Andrew Tye (1/35) and Marcus Stoinis (1/37) got one wicket each.
Here are some Twitter reactions on this game:
Rohit Sharma has remained not out 17 times when chasing in IPL and his teams have won every time – 4 times for Deccan Chargers and 13 times for Mumbai Indians. #KXIPvMI
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/_whatsinaname/status/992413209507360768
Dedicated to Chris Gayle's innings. #KXIPvMI pic.twitter.com/7Dy2QDrVTF
— Swapnil Suryawanshi (@_swapnils) May 4, 2018
Wow, that was some assault by Krunal Pandya! Just when everyone's focus was on Rohit. Should make victory fairly easy for Mumbai from here
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 4, 2018
Bringing back Yuvraj is worse decision than buying him in the auction #KXIPvMI
— cric_bakchod (@Cric_bakchod) May 4, 2018
Media : Why do you always peak so late in the IPL ?
Rohit Sharma : pic.twitter.com/6zKytD3gQh
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) May 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/asli_ritik04/status/992422109908492288
That was a very good final over for the kings. Much needed. Hope they can defend this total and knock MI out of the competition 😁 #KXIPvsMI
— Goutham Rajendran (@gouthamrr5) May 4, 2018
Enough cricket, soon Ishan Kishan will play Definite's role in Gangs of Wasseypur 3. #KXIPvMI pic.twitter.com/mw27AmV0x6
— Swapnil Suryawanshi (@_swapnils) May 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/trolls_ipl/status/992459827736559616
#KXIP has the most explosive opening combo in the #IPL. And they’ll be right up there for the lack of firepower in the middle order too. Openers have papered over the cracks thus far… #KXIPvMI #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 4, 2018
Pic1: Hardik Pandya against saste spinners
Pic2: Hardik Pandya against quality bowling pic.twitter.com/H7qrMu9SeS— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) May 1, 2018
