Openers Chris Gayle and Mayank Agarwal got Kings XI Punjab across the finishing line by defeating the Mumbai Indians in the second super over at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
After electing to bat first, Mumbai Indians started disastrously by losing skipper Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan to young Arshdeep Singh, while Mohammed Shami sent back the in form Suryakumar Yadav for a duck, as Mumbai were in a spot of bother at 43/3.
Quinton de Kock and Krunal Pandya anchored the innings with a crucial 58-run stand for the fourth wicket, before young Ravi Bishnoi broke the stand by dismissing the well set Krunal for 34 in the 14th over.
Hardik Pandya failed to get going, as he became Shami’s second victim. Wicket keeper De Kock reached his half century of 39 balls, but fell to Chris Jordan for a valuable 53. His knock comprised of 3 fours and 3 sixes.
Kieron Pollard along with Coulter- Nile provided impetus in the end by smashing 54 runs in the last 3 overs, as MI ended up with a challenging score of 176/6 at the end of 20 overs. Pollard remained unbeaten on 34 off 12, while Coulter Nile was not out on 24.
For Punjab, Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh claimed 2 wickets each.
Chasing 177, the opening pair of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal made a solid beginning by putting on 23 runs, before Mayank was cleaned up by Jasprit Bumrah for 11.
Chris Gayle and KL Rahul took their side to a comfortable 75/1, before the big Jamaican was caught at long off by Trent Boult off Rahul Chahar for a 21-ball 24.
Nicholas Pooran arrived at the crease and attacked right from the word go by smashing 2 fours and 2 sixes, before being caught at fine leg by Coulter Nile off Bumrah for a quickfire 24.
Glenn Maxwell’s poor run with the bat continued, as the Australian edged a Chahar delivery to Rohit Sharma at slip for a duck.
India’s ace spearhead who was carted for 15 runs in the 16th over, came back strongly and castled the Punjab skipper with a brilliant yorker for an enterprising innings of 77. His knock came of 51 balls, with seven fours and three sixes.
Deepak Hooda and Chris Jordan scored 13 runs in the penultimate over to turn the game in Punjab’s favour.
The game eventually went down to the final over, and with 2 runs needed off the final ball, Jordan was found short of his ground by inches courtesy a flat throw from Kieron Pollard from long on.
The game went to a Super Over, and Jasprit Bumrah produced a brilliant six deliveries leaving Mumbai with just 6 runs to get.
However, Mohammed Shami matched his Indian teammate with some exceptional death bowling, and ensured the game went to a second super over.
In the second super over, the pair of Pandya and Pollard gave MI 11 to defend, with a stunning piece of fielding on the boundary from Mayank Agarwal denying them a last ball six.
With Bumrah ineligible to bowl the second super over, Mumbai turned to Trent Boult, but the left arm fast bowler missed his length’s and was clobbered for six and two consecutive boundaries, as Punjab overhauled the target with ease.
This win prevented what could otherwise have been a 4th heartbreaking defeat fro Punjab, with Anil Kumble’s men previously having been at the receiving end of close defeats against Delhi Capitals, Kolkata and Rajasthan Royals
Lokesh Rahul was declared the Player of the Match.
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