PBKS beat MI by 9 wickets, Rahul scores unbeaten fifty. Mumbai Indians bowlers tried to keep them in the game till they could. After the 16th over, Punjab needed 24 runs for victory in 24 balls. But the set batsmen KL Rahul and Chris Gayle ensured that Punjab reached home safely with 14 balls to spare.
Brief Scores
Mumbai Indians 131-6(20 overs) R Sharma 63(52), S Yadav 33(27), M Shami 2/21, R Bishnoi 2/21.
Punjab Kings 132-1(17.4 overs) KL Rahul 60*(52), C Gayle 43*(35), R Chahar 1/19.
Result: PBKS beat MI by 9 wickets with 14 balls to spare.
Man of the Match: KL Rahul
Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul won the toss and surprisingly chose to field first. This was because in the previous matches at Chepauk in Chennai it was seen that chasing was very difficult. As the ball becomes old, it becomes very difficult to hit. There was 1 change for Punjab as Ravi Bishoi came in for his first match instead of Murugan Ashwin. Mumbai Indians were unchanged for this match.
Rohit Sharma makes a composed innings of 63, tries to anchor MI
MI lost opener Quinton de Kock early for just 3 runs as Deepak Hooda accounted for him. Even Ishan Kishan, who was promoted up the order, failed to score big. But Rohit Sharma scored his first fifty of the season after a string of starts in the previous matches. His knock comprised 5 fours and 2 sixes.
Punjab put up a good bowling performance, Bishnoi and Shami take 2 wickets each
He was ably supported by Suryakumar Yadav who scored 33 off just 27 balls. But the Punjab Kings bowlers were spot on in their lines and lengths. Ravi Bishnoi, in his first match of the season, bowled a superb spell in the middle overs. He took the wickets of Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav. Mohammad Shami bowled 3 overs at the death and bowled some good yorkers. He also took 2 wickets.
KL Rahul scores unbeaten fifty, takes Punjab home safely
Chasing a target of 132 on this slow pitch, it was essential that Punjab had a good start in the powerplay. The PBKS openers ensured just that. Though Mayank Agarwal was dismissed, Chris Gayle handled the proceedings quite well. In the end, there was some pressure as MI bowled 6 consecutive dot balls. But Gayle and Rahul made sure there were no hiccups and helped Punjab chase the target inside 18 overs.
The Man of the Match was KL Rahul for his match winning half-century. Although the strike rate was a bit less but it was what was required in this chase. He anchored the chase pretty well and also played some exquisite shots in the end. He hit 3 fours and 3 sixes en route to his 60 off 52 balls.
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