The 5 times champions were struggling in the second leg of IPL with 3 consecutive losses. But they are back in form as Tiwari and Pollard lead Mumbai Indians to 6 wickets victory. Mumbai Indians won the toss and choose to field first. MI made two changes Saurabh Tiwari and Nathan Coulter-Nile comes in for Ishan and Milne. Punjab Kings made a forced change, Mandeep Singh replaces Mayank who has a stiff back.
Punjab had a slow but steady start of 36 runs, Krunal gets Mandeep (15). A partnership was needed but the very next over Pollard gets both Chris Gayle (1) and skipper KL Rahul (21). The match was already in the hands of Mumbai, and soon Bumrah dismissed Nicholas Pooran (2), team’s score was 48-4. A mature innings was needed from Aiden Markram and Deepak Hooda to revive Punjab’s hope in the game. That was a great opportunity for Markram to prove his skills in IPL before the mega auction.
Markram was playing so well but Rahul Chahar got him (42), a useful inning to bring Punjab back in the game. But Mumbai had different intentions got well set Hooda (28) and gave just 17 runs off the final 3 overs.
Mumbai’s bowling was amazing, never let Punjab take the game away. Credits to Pollard bowled just 1 over but gets 2 big wickets. Bumrah 2 wickets for 24 runs, restricted Punjab for just 135-6.
Mumbai’s chase
Chasing 136 was never going to be easy especially on these slow pitches. Punjab had a dream start, got skipper Rohit (8) and Suryakumar (0) in the same over, team’s score was just 16. Experienced Saurabh and De Kock were in the middle to carry the inning and they did the same before Shami gets De Kock (27).
Mumbai’s hope was on Hardik but he was out of form. Hardik struggled, even his catch was dropped but he stay in the middle had a good partnership with Tiwari. But a wide outside edge gets Saurabh Tiwari (45). The match was going in the hands of Punjab but then Pollard’s 7 balls 15 runs released the pressure from Hardik. Hardik finished the game with six, hopefully, he is back in the form. The 5 times champions are back and they are alive in this tournament.
Ravi Bishnoi was the man who bowled brilliantly to take 2 wickets for 25 runs.
Kieron Pollard was the player of the match for his 2 wickets in one over and quick 15 runs to release the pressure.
