Punjab Kings (PBKS) registered a 9-wicket win over the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) by 9 wickets to end their three-match losing streak in the IPL 2021. After winning the toss and KL Rahul asked MI to bat first, and ever since, Punjab did nothing wrong. Overall, the 5-time champions have now lost three out of their 5 matches this season. On a slow and sticky Chennai wicket, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Rahul, and Chris Gayle found the perfect solution to take their team over the line.
With another low target to defend, Trent Boult conceded just one run in the first over, but Krunal Pandya failed to keep the run flow under control. In the second over of the chase, KL Rahul scored two back-to-back boundaries before Mayank Agarwal smashing a six on the last ball. PBKS openers got into the groove as they smartly targetted Boult and Jasprit Bumrah also with some exquisite cricketing shots. Rahul Chahar gave away 3 runs in his first over.
WATCH – Ravi Bishnoi ended Ishan Kishan’s painful innings
Returning for his 2nd spell in the 8th over, Chahar drew the first blood for Mumbai as he broke the 53-run opening partnership. Jayant Yadav followed it with back-to-back one-run overs and a bowling partnership between the two started suddenly. Chahar (1/19) completed his 4-over quota with the end of 12th over. Jayant continued his spell and was smashed by Chris Gayle, who broke the monotony and modify Jayant’s bowling figure.
KL Rahul slammed a six off Kieron Pollard in the next over and Gayle compliment him by smashing one-off Jayant in the 15th over. 33 runs were needed off the last 30 balls. Rahul (52-ball 63*) made sure that the target gets chased with 14 balls remaining. Chris Gayle remained at 43 as well. Earlier, Punjab Kings removed Quinton de Kock (3) in the 2nd over.
All-rounder Deepak Hooda dismissed the southpaw before bowling another neat over alongside Moises Henriques. Hooda, Henriques and Mohammed Shami bowled consistent lengths in the powerplay as they conceded just 21 runs in the first six overs. on pinpoint lengths and gave away just 21 in the Powerplay overs. Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi got the wicket of Ishan Kishan (6 off 17) in his first over.
WATCH – Rohit Sharma’s Frustration After Being Poorly Given Out
However, then Suryakumar Yadav joined Rohit Sharma as Mumbai crawled to 49 at the halfway mark. They brought in all their experienced to partner for 79 runs off 56 deliveries. Rohit scored his 40th IPL fifty off 40 balls after slamming a boundary off Bishnoi. Rohit Sharma, trying to accelerate, was beautifully caught by Fabian Allen at the square leg boundary. Kieron Pollard who walked in ahead of Hardik Pandya (1) and Krunal Pandya (3) remained unbeaten for 16 off 12 as Mumbai again failed to score get past 150.
Here is how Twitterati reacted to PBKS’ win:
A 9-wicket loss against #SRH 😢
A 9-wicket win against #MI 👊The 👑s have bounced back in style 🤩#SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #IPL2021 #PBKSvMI
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 23, 2021
MI got themselves into a very strong losing position when they got 21 in their first 6 overs. In which Moises bowled 3 and Hooda 2. #MIvPBKS
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 23, 2021
#PBKSvMI #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/VfjZiilT8h
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) April 23, 2021
That was easy for the two experience campaigners @klrahul11 @henrygayle , well done @PunjabKingsIPL keep rocking 👌🏻💪🏻 #ipl
— rishi dhawan (@rishid100) April 23, 2021
#Chepauk has definitely made #MI sweat for runs this season. #PBKSvMI #IPL2021
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) April 23, 2021
That man #KLRahul is simply fantastic, almost single – handedly ( with #UniversalBoss chipping in) taken #PBKS to a comprehensive win by 9 wickets over #MI #PBKSvsMI
— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) April 23, 2021
Right hand,left hand combination worked for Punjab in the end on this sluggish pitch. Well played @henrygayle @klrahul11 bowling Hooda in the power play was a good ploy too. #MIvsPBKS
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 23, 2021
Total dominance and fearless from @PunjabKingsIPL !! A special shout out for @klrahul11 @henrygayle for making it look so easy #PunjabKings Vs #MumbaiIndians
— Mithun V Manhas (@MithunManhas) April 23, 2021
Rohit Sharma – Batsman didint show much application, that let down in the last 2 matches, 150-160 would have been a fighting total.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 23, 2021
Let Mumbai Indians play all their matches at Chepauk to maintain the balance of the tournament.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) April 23, 2021
