IPL 2021: PBKS vs MI- KL Rahul’s unbeaten knock of 60 runs helps PBKS return to winning ways
PBKS vs MI: Punjab Kings returned to winning ways, as KL Rahul led his side to their second victory this season. The Karnataka batsman scored an unbeaten knock of 60 runs, chasing down a modest target of just 132 runs. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians have now suffered two consecutive defeats, and have just two wins in their five games so far.
KL Rahul won the toss, and put the opposition into bat. Mumbai Indians fielded an unchanged eleven, whereas, PBKS brought in Ravi Bishnoi for Murugan Ashwin. The defending champions have batted first in all of their five games so far. Mumbai entered the match as the favorites, given the fact that they had played all of their previous matches in Chennai. Punjab Kings were desperate to return to winning ways, as they came into the match on the back of three consecutive defeats.
Rohit Sharma continues his impressive form
First 5⃣0⃣ for the season!
#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #MI #PBKSvMI #IPL2021 @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/jhrXaJN60i
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 23, 2021
Rohit Sharma has been Mumbai Indians’ best batsman so far, and continued his fine form against PBKS. The MI skipper scored a well-composed knock of 63 runs from 52 balls, which includes 5 fours and two sixes. Rohit has often been criticized for not performing consistently in IPL, but this season he has batted with much more responsibility than before.
Rohit Sharma has 201 runs in his five games so far, at an average of 40.20. The Indian opener would have loved to end the innings on a high, but was struggling towards the back end of his innings. Quinton de Kock and Ishan Kishan failed to impress once again, as Mumbai Indians’ batting woes continue this season.
MI middle order fails to deliver once again
Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard failed to deliver once again
Mumbai Indians got off to a horrific start, as they lost Quinton de Kock and Ishan Kishan in the first seven overs, with the score reading 26 runs for the loss of two wickets. Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma stitched a valuable 79-run partnership, but were unable to accelerate when it mattered. Suryakumar was dismissed for a score of 33 runs, attempting to play an ambitious reverse sweep off Ravi Bishnoi.
Hardik Pandya continued his poor form this season, as he could manage to score just 1 run on Friday. The Indian all-rounder has had a string of low scores in Chennai so far, and will hope to do well in the upcoming matches. Kieron Pollard also struggled to find any sort of timing, and managed to score just 16 runs off 12 balls. Mumbai Indians’ highest score this campaign came against Royal Challengers Bangalore, where the defending champions could manage to score just 159 runs.
Mohammed Shami and Ravi Bishnoi were the standout bowlers for PBKS, delivering figures of 2 wickets for 21 runs in their respective four over spell. Bishnoi picked up key wickets of Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, and kept the pressure on the MI batsman.
Our Chennai leg ends in defeat.
Time to regroup and make a strong comeback in the next game in Delhi. We move on!
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 23, 2021
Mumbai’s middle order has some big names, who are yet to hit their top form this season. The franchise has achieved so much success over the past few years, because of their ability to finish matches with the bat. Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan are some of the most destructive batsman in T20 cricket when they get going, and will look forward to do well in the upcoming matches.
Also Read: IPL 2021: WATCH – Suryakumar Yadav Hits Arshdeep Singh For A Glorious Six
KL Rahul and Chris Gayle help PBKS to earn a 9-wicket victory
Chris Gayle scored a vital knock in his side’s victory over MI
KL Rahul brought up his third half century of the season, as he scored a vital knock of 60 runs to guide his team past the finishing line. The PBKS skipper was also adjudged the player of the match, after his well-composed knock. Mayank Agarwal gave Punjab a good start, as he scored 25 runs off 20 balls, which included 4 fours and one six.
Chris Gayle regained his form, as he was among the runs on Friday. The Universe Boss took some time to get his eye in on the slow Chennai wicket, but was on top of the bowlers towards the end of the chase. Gayle scored 43 runs off 35 balls, which includes 5 fours and 2 sixes. PBKS chased down the total of 132 runs in 17.4 overs, with nine wickets remaining.