Mumbai Indians hosted the Kings XI Punjab in the 50th match of IPL 2018 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday (May 16), where the former registered a thrilling 3-run victory.
With this win, the defending champions kept their playoff hopes alive while Kings XI Punjab gone one place down in the points table to sixth.
Earlier, Punjab won the toss and elected to bowl first. MI rode on Kieron Pollard’s blazing 23-ball 50 (5 fours and 3 sixes) to put 186/8 on the board. Krunal Pandya was another notable contributor for Mumbai with 32 runs. Andrew Tye was the stand-out bowler for KXIP as he claimed 4 for 16 to become the leading wicket taker of IPL 2018 with 24 scalps.
In reply, KXIP got off to a flier with Chris Gayle and KL Rahul adding 34 runs for the opening wicket in just 3.5 overs. After Gayle’s dismissal, Rahul along with Aaron Finch forged a 111-run stand to put KXIP in a commanding position.
However, Jasprit Bumrah had a different plan in mind as he removed Finch and Marcus Stoinis in the 17th over to change the course of the game. One over later, Bumrah dented Punjab even further by getting rid of the ominous Rahul on 94 off 60 balls (10 fours and 3 sixes).
Bumrah finished with the figures of 4-0-15-3 whereas Mitchell McClenaghan successfully defended 16 runs in the final over to secure the match for Mumbai.
Twitterati were impressed to see the quality death-overs bowling of Bumrah while they also hailed Rahul’s stellar effort with the willow.
Here are some of the top tweets:
Magnificent innings from KL Rahul. He had been magnificent and feel for him but Kings 11 have simply not been good enough in the crucial phases. Mumbai owe this to Bumrah. Top spell #MIvKXIP
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 16, 2018
My Man of the match boom boom #bumrah #MIvsKXIP
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 16, 2018
YuvRaj of Old this game done lol .... but time takes it toll on us all lol
— Tino95 (@tinobest) May 16, 2018
Good thinking @Mitch_Savage
— Jonty Rhodes (@JontyRhodes8) May 16, 2018
Does this defeat mean that @lionsdenkxip have missed the bus from being top of the table before their break.. Bumrah BRILLIANT
— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) May 16, 2018
Bumrah, rah, rah!
— Iain O'Brien (@iainobrien) May 16, 2018
Well fought @lionsdenkxip & Congrats @mipaltan for the win! What a game! Two Indian superstars were phenomenal; @klrahul11 and @Jaspritbumrah93 .. Outstanding ???????????????? #MIvsKXIP @IPL
— Mandeep Singh (@mandeeps12) May 16, 2018
KL Rahul is some player .. He needs to be playing all formats for #India .. #IPL2018
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 16, 2018
How good @KieronPollard55 and @klrahul11 played..fantastic game to watch for cricket lovers .. Top bowling efforts from @aj191 and @Jaspritbumrah93???????????????? @IPL
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 16, 2018
YASSSSS! Keeping the dream alive @mipaltan !!!! @StarSportsIndia #IPL
— Erin Holland (@erinvholland) May 16, 2018