In the 50th game of IPL 2018, the host Mumbai Indians (MI) snatched a narrow 3-run victory against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai) on Wednesday night. While MI managed to put a total of 186/8 in 20 overs, KXIP was just short of their target as they finished on 183/5 in 20 overs.
KXIP captain Ravichandran Ashwin decided to field first after winning the toss. Mi top-order batsmen failed to score big runs as the openers Suryakumar Yadav and Evin Lewis scored 27 and 9 runs while next two batsmen Ishan Kishan (20 runs) and skipper Rohit Sharma (6 runs) also departed cheaply.
While MI was struggling on 71/4 in 8.2 overs, Krunal Pandya and Kieron Pollard provided an important 65-run partnership for the fifth wicket. That partnership helped MI to put a good total on the board. While Krunal was dismissed on 32 runs, Pollard (50 runs off 23 balls) stretched his innings to the half-century which he got in just 22 balls.
In the death overs, the lower-order batsmen added few runs as MI managed to put 186/8 on the board at the end of 20 overs.
In-form KXIP pacer Andrew Tye once again bowled very well as he had another impressive bowling figure of 4-0-16-4. Also, the skipper Ravichandran Ashwin (2/18) got two wickets while Ankit Rajpoot (1/46) and Marcus Stoinis (1/43) picked up one wicket each.
In reply, KXIP opener Chris Gayle was dismissed for 18 runs while another in-form opener KL Rahul and the no.3 batsman Aaron Finch put a century partnership. They put a 111-run partnership for the second wicket which set them into the great position of the match.
While Rahul continued his innings after completing his half-century in 36 balls, Finch returned to the pavilion on 46 runs off 35 balls. Later, Rahul failed to get enough support from the other batsmen but his desperate attempt brought closer to the target. While Rahul was dismissed on 94 runs off 60 balls, other batsmen tried hard to finish that game but ultimately failed as KXIP scored 183/5 at the end of 20 overs.
Among the MI bowlers, only Jasprit Bumrah (3/15) and Mitchell McClenaghan (2/37) picked up wickets.
Here are some Twitter reactions:
In IPL2018:
Most runs scored: KL Rahul (638*)
Most sixes hit: KL Rahul (32*)
Most fours hit: KL Rahul (62*)#KXIPvMI #MIvKXIP #IPL2018— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) May 16, 2018
KL Rahul is some player .. He needs to be playing all formats for #India .. #IPL2018
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 16, 2018
Magnificent innings from KL Rahul. He had been magnificent and feel for him but Kings 11 have simply not been good enough in the crucial phases. Mumbai owe this to Bumrah. Top spell #MIvKXIP
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 16, 2018
600+ runs in a season @ 160. Only the third player after Gayle and AB to do so. K L Rahul is undoubtedly the best batsman in this…batting like a dream. #IPL #MIvKXIP
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 16, 2018
You have to feel for @klrahul11 what an innings that was: brilliant from one of the best players of this @IPL yet again @mipaltan doing it in the home stretch.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) May 16, 2018
KL Rahul's six fifties in IPL 2018 have come off 14, 22, 24, 36, 44 and 48 balls respectively.
Different situation, different play.
What a season he's having! #MIvKXIP
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 16, 2018
Bumrah’s 17th and 19th overs….didn’t concede a single boundary in his spell of four overs in a high scoring encounter on a flat pitch. Well done 👍 #MIvKXIP #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 16, 2018
Bumrah has done everything he could for McCleneghan to bowl the last over. Simply stunning spell.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 16, 2018
An economy of 3.75 in four overs in an innings where the scoring rate is 8.94 is simply outstanding! Well done Bumrah….#MIvKXIP #KXIPvMI #IPL2018
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) May 16, 2018
Did he take @mipaltan into the play offs? I think he has. Fantastic spell from @Jaspritbumrah93 top bowling. And Axar patel ahead of @YUVSTRONG12 @lionsdenkxip know something which we don’t.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) May 16, 2018
So Punjab benched Karun Nair and Mayank Agarwal who have been inconsistent but have good strike rates this season. Still send out Axar Patel ahead of Yuvraj Singh or Manoj Tiwary with 36 needed off 16?! #MIvKXIP
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) May 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/SirJadejaaaa/status/996814468830003200
It's midnight on a weekday and this game has every one WIDE AWAAAAKE!!! #MIvKXIP
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) May 16, 2018
Its an insult to Yuvraj Singh when Axar Patel is promoted ahead of him for batting.#MIvKXIP
— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) May 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/Man_isssh/status/996822722314362880
Finally the beast has woken up #MIvKXIP #MIpaltan pic.twitter.com/FYdApBtG5r
— Ayra (@ayrarodrigues30) May 16, 2018
