Chennai: Punjab are back to winning ways in the IPL after a hat-trick of defeats. Punjab defeated defending champions Mumbai Indians in Chepauk by 9 wickets. Punjab, who had earlier restricted Mumbai with brilliant bowling, also showed their skills in the run chase. Punjab were not challenged in any way by a small target of 132 runs. Punjab lost just one wicket and chased down the target in 17.4 overs.
KL Rahul was the top scorer for the team with 60 not out while Chris Gayle remained unbeaten on 43. They lost the wicket of Mayank Agarwal (25). Score: Mumbai 131 for six, Punjab 132 for one in 17.4 overs. Rahul is the man of the match. With this victory, Punjab moved up to fifth position in the points table.
Mayank and Rahul put on 53 for the opening wicket. Gayle, who came to the crease after Mayank’s dismissal, supported Rahul well and Punjab’s run chase continued easily. The duo put on 79 for the second wicket to give Punjab an easy win. Rahul hit three fours and three sixes in 52 balls while Gayle hit five fours and two sixes in 35 balls.
Earlier, skipper Rohit Sharma’s innings helped Mumbai reach 131 for six. Rohit became the team’s top scorer with 63 runs. Suryakumar Yadav (33) is another Mumbai batsman who performed well. Hitman’s innings of 52 balls included five fours and two sixes. Surya hit three fours and two sixes in 27 balls. Quinton Decock (3), Ishan Kishan (6), Hardik Pandya (1) and Krunal Pandya (3) all disappointed yet again.
Kaeiron Pollard remained unbeaten on 16. Spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who played his first match of the season, was the top bowler in Punjab. He took two wickets for 21 runs in 4 overs, including 10 dot balls. Mohd. Shami also took 2 wickets for 21 runs from his allocated 4 overs. Deepak Hooda and Arshdeep Singh took one wicket each.
Mumbai had a bad start. They lost to De Kock when team total was seven runs. Hooda gave Punjab a breakthrough early on. Mumbai promoted Ishan Kishan to number three but the move was not successful. Bishnoi returned Ishan, who struggled to score runs on the slow pitch. Ishan was caught by skipper Rahul with a superb catch. Mumbai were 26 for two in 6.6 overs.
Mumbai got a new lease of life when Surya joined Rohit for the third wicket. He was able to put up a good partnership of 79 runs. Punjab retaliated with Bishnoi dismissing Surya at team score of 105. Soon after, Rohit also left the crease. With Hardik and Krunal returning without making a significant impact, Mumbai were reduced to 131 in 20 overs.
