The game between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab was expected to be a cracker of a contest as both teams posse a batting-heavy lineup. Mumbai won the toss and asked Punjab to bat first on a typical run-feast of Wankhede Stadium. Chris Gayle and KL Rahul gave KXIP the best possible start and scored 116 runs for the first wicket in 12.5 overs. Gayle perished after scoring his fifty but there was no stopping for Rahul as he raced to his maiden Indian Premier League ton. He remained not out on 100 in 64 balls, which includes six fours and six sixes. Punjab finished their innings for 197/4 in 20 overs.
In the quest to chase 198 runs, Mumbai didn’t get the required start. Siddhesh Lad, who came in place of Rohit Sharma, played few shots but got out cheaply. Quinton de Kock and Suryakumar Yadav failed to convert their start and Mumbai was reeling at a point when they were 94/4 in 12 overs. But Kieron Pollard was in the mood to redeem himself on his IPL captaincy debut. And he did exactly the same. Pollard smashed 31-ball 83 runs, where he hit 10 towering sixes and three boundaries. In the end, Mumbai stumbled but reached to the target on the last ball of the innings with three wickets in hand.
Also Read: Turning points of MI vs KXIP match
Hits
KL Rahul (KXIP)
The dashing batsman was coming with back-to-back fifties in his last two IPL matches and took his great run of form with the bat against Mumbai as well. KL Rahul gave Punjab a firing start and stayed on the pitch till the end. Meanwhile, he notched up his first IPL hundred in 63 balls, where he hit six fours and as many sixes.
Chris Gayle (KXIP)
Universe Boss was in the mood to have some fun with Mumbai’s bowling lineup. Gayle showed his intent in the powerplay and started hitting big hits after setting his eyes. He scored a flamboyant fifty at Wankhede but perished after giving Punjab a blazing start. Gayle scored 63 runs in 36 balls, where he hit three fours and seven gigantic sixes.
Watch – Miller takes a brilliant catch to dismiss De Kock
Kieron Pollard (MI)
Big West Indian all-rounder was making his IPL debut in absence of Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard played the match-changing innings to win the game for Mumbai. He was running out of batting partners but kept his head cool. Pollard played big shots at regular intervals and smashed a blitzing knock of 83 runs in just 31 balls, where he hit three fours and ten towering sixes.
