KXIP beat MI by 8 wickets | Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians, Highlights And Cricket Score 9th T20 Match - Commentary
Indian Premier League, 2019
Date: Mar 30, 2019 Start Time: 16:00 IST | 10:30 GMT | 16:00 LocalVenue: Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali
Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians Highlights And Cricket Score 9th Match - T20 Commentary
Mumbai will look to get wickets and put pressure on the Punjab middle order. Will Mumbai make it 2 in 2 or will Punjab continue their winning streak in Mohali?
So 177 to get. The onus will be on the Punjab openers. They will have to get them off to a very good start here.
As for Punjab's bowling, it did not start well but the spinners were excellent for them, especially Murugan Ashwin who picked up 2 wickets giving away just 25 runs. Skipper, Ravichandran Ashwin went wicketless but was economical with the ball. Hardus Viljoen scalped two as well but went at 10 runs an over.
The Mumbai middle order struggled and no one apart from Hardik Pandya fared well. Quinton de Kock was the star with the bat. His 60 off 39 along with Hardik's cameo of 39 took the total to 176.
Excellent comeback from Punjab. They have done really well to restrict Mumbai under 180. The visitors after being inserted started off on the front foot, with openers Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock taking the charge. The Powerplay belonged to them but Punjab chipped in with wickets at regular intervals and stopped the run flow.
Mohammed Shami to Mitchell McClenaghan. A leg bye! So Punjab do manage to keep Mumbai under 180. This is very full and outside off. MM looks to paddle it but misses to get hit on the pads. It rolls towards the leg side for a single. Leg bye signaled. So despite the six, only 9 from the last over. MUMBAI FINISH WITH 176!
Mohammed Shami to Mitchell McClenaghan. Tries to innovate but it does not come off. He looks to play the ramp and it was the delivery which he would have hoped for. A full toss. McClenaghan looks to paddle but misses.
Mayank Markande walks out at number 9.
Mohammed Shami to Hardik Pandya. OUT! Pandya is a goner now! Another decent catch, this time it is Mandeep Singh. Shami goes for the surprise short ball and it is outside off. Pandya looks to drag his pull, he hits it nicely but does not get the distance he would have liked. Mandeep Singh at deep mid-wicket, does well to stay inside the ropes and take it. Pandya falls after playing a decent cameo. Now Punjab can keep them under 180.
Mohammed Shami to Hardik Pandya. Top running! Pandya squirts this full ball over covers and takes one. He then sets off for a second. It is a big boundary so he makes it till the time the throw comes in from Tye.
Mohammed Shami to Hardik Pandya. SIX! Another full toss and this is hit into the stands. Now we know why he refused a single on the first ball. A high one and Pandya flicks it over the mid-wicket stand.
Mohammed Shami to Hardik Pandya. A pacey full toss there. Pandya only manages to hit it along the ground to long on but does not run.
Mohammed Shami to bowl the final over of the innings.
Hardus Viljoen to Hardik Pandya. A direct hit and Pandya would have been a goner! Full and outside off, Pandya looks to flick but misses. It hits his pads and goes to the left of the bowler. Now since Pandya wants the strike, he goes for a run. The bowler picks the ball up and has a shy at his end but misses. A leg bye taken. End of an action-packed penultimate over. 13 runs and a wicket from it.
Hardus Viljoen to Hardik Pandya. Swing and a miss! Full and outside off, Pandya swings across the line but only connects with thin air.
Hardus Viljoen to Hardik Pandya. FOUR! 4, 4, wicket and now another boundary! This one is slapped. Short and outside off, Pandya stands tall and hits it through covers.
Mitchell McClenaghan is the new man in.
Hardus Viljoen to Krunal Pandya. OUT! Probably not as Krunal falls after hitting two boundaries! The short ball does the trick. He looks to pull but does not get on top of the bounce. It takes the top edge and goes uppishly towards square leg. Murugan Ashwin runs in and takes a good catch. Second for Viljoen and Mumbai seem to be losing their way here.
Hardus Viljoen to Krunal Pandya. FOUR! Consecutive boundaries! Length and outside off, Pandya stays on the back foot and then hits it through covers. Is this the momentum changing over?
Hardus Viljoen to Krunal Pandya. FOUR! What was the fielder doing there? The short ball is pulled through square leg. There are two fielders one from the left and the other from the right go for it. The one from the left has a better chance to stop it but for some reason, he lets it through. Boundary to begin the over, ideal start.
Andrew Tye to Krunal Pandya. It does not as this is pulled through mid-wicket for a run. Just 8 from this one. End of Tye for today, not a good day for him as he has gone for 40 in his 4 and only got the one wicket.
Andrew Tye to Krunal Pandya. WIDE! Down the leg side, Pandya looks to hit it fine but misses. Wided. Will the extra ball cost Tye.
Andrew Tye to Hardik Pandya. Fuller again, just a single as it is hit down to long on. Singles are something that Punjab won't mind.
Andrew Tye to Hardik Pandya. Way too wide outside off, Pandya lets it be. It has been wided.
Andrew Tye to Hardik Pandya. HP shuffles across and flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple. This is a good over so far, no boundaries yet.
Andrew Tye to Krunal Pandya. Another ball on the shorter side, Krunal pulls it through square leg and a run is taken.
Andrew Tye to Hardik Pandya. On the shorter side, Pandya stands tall and pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.
The new batsman in is Krunal Pandya.
Andrew Tye to Kieron Pollard. OUT! In the air... and that is a very, very good catch by Agarwal! Pollard perishes in the attempt to up the ante. The knuckle ball does the trick for Tye. It is fuller in length. Pollard looks to go downtown but is a touch early into the stroke. He manages to hit it high in the air. So high that it probably has snow on it as it comes down. Agarwal at long off, does really well to position himself just ahead of the ropes and take the skier. Big wicket this as Pollard can be very dangerous.
Hardus Viljoen to Kieron Pollard. Nicely timed towards long on. Long off who is pretty straight runs to his right and cuts it off. Another single. 9 from the over, a good one for the visitors. Three overs to go, time to step on the gas now.
Hardus Viljoen to Kieron Pollard. A little too straight, Pollard tucks it away through backward square leg for a double.
Hardus Viljoen to Hardik Pandya. Goes full, does not let the batsman get under it. Pandya swings but only gets an inside edge through mid-wicket for a single.
Hardus Viljoen to Hardik Pandya. FOUR! Pulled away and in the gap! Much-needed boundary! Short and on middle, Pandya stands tall and pulls it in the gap in the mid-wicket region.
Hardus Viljoen to Kieron Pollard. On the shorter side on off, Pollard hangs back and guides it towards point for a run.
Hardus Viljoen to Kieron Pollard. A dot to begin the 17th! Length and on the leg stump, Pollard looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.
Strategic break has been signaled! Now then, Punjab are amidst a good passage of play here. They have managed to pull things back and also taken a few quick wickets. Mumbai though are still in a decent position and with Pollard and Pandya out there, they are still in contention to get to a big total. The visitors would hope the two can fire. Also, Hardus Viljoen is back.
Andrew Tye to Hardik Pandya. A couple to end the over! Another one which the hosts can be happy with. A low full toss on middle, Pandya flicks it through mid-wicket and takes two. The fielder there misfields but no extra run conceded.
Andrew Tye to Hardik Pandya. Another slower one outside off, Pandya looks to cut but due to the lack of pace on the ball, he only manages to chop it to the keeper.
Andrew Tye to Hardik Pandya. On the shorter side, Pandya stands tall and pulls it through square leg. A fumble from the fielder in the deep sees the batsmen take an extra run.
Andrew Tye to Kieron Pollard. Pollard walks right across the stumps and flicks it towards short fine leg for a run.
Andrew Tye to Hardik Pandya. On the fuller side on middle, Pandya strokes it down to long on and takes a single.
Andrew Tye to Hardik Pandya. Lands it on a length around off, the batsman lunges and keeps it out.
Andrew Tye is back on.
Murugan Ashwin to Hardik Pandya. A single to end as this is worked around the corner. A wicket and 7 from Murugan's last. He finishes with excellent figures of 4-0-25-2.
Murugan Ashwin to Hardik Pandya. FOUR! Edgy but Mumbai will take it! Short and outside off, it turns back. Pandya looks to cut but gets an outside edge through third man for a boundary.
Hardik Pandya is the new man in.
Murugan Ashwin to Yuvraj Singh. OUT! And it gets better! Yuvraj holes out! Two wickets in quick succession for the hosts and they are back into this one. Now two new batsmen are out in the middle for the visitors. Exactly what they did not want heading into the fag end. It is another googly from the bowler. Yuvraj looks to play the sweep but does not get on top of the bounce. He only manages a top edge towards deep square leg where Shami takes a neat catch.
Murugan Ashwin to Yuvraj Singh. The googly and it beats the batsman! Well bowled. This is pitched on off, it turns away. Yuvraj lunges and tries to defend but is beaten. This is shaping up to be another good over.
Murugan Ashwin to Kieron Pollard. The googly is bowled on off, Pollard looks to defend, it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket for a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Yuvraj Singh. Dances down the track but the length is short. Singh pulls it through square leg and a single is taken.
Murugan Ashwin is back into the attack.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Yuvraj Singh. No it does not! Ashwin gets away with one here. This is short and down the leg side. Singh looks to pull it fine but Gayle at short fine leg does well to move to his left and keep it down to one. End of Ashwin for today, he finishes with figures of 4-0-26-0.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Yuvraj Singh. Ends up bowling a wide! Way outside off, Singh throws his bat at it but misses. Ashwin puts in an appeal to put the umpire off but it does not make a difference as it is signaled a wide. Will the extra ball cost Mumbai?
Ravichandran Ashwin to Kieron Pollard. Another carrom ball, Pollard does not pick it. He ends up playing inside the line, only manages an outside edge to short third man for a single. This is an excellent over till now. Needs to end it well.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Kieron Pollard. The carrom ball on the middle stump, it straightens a touch. Pollard looks to work it across the line but gets a soft leading edge.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Yuvraj Singh. Angles this one down the leg side, Singh works it towards short fine leg for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Yuvraj Singh. On the shorter side but not that much width on offer. Singh looks to cut but ends up chopping it to the off side.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Yuvraj Singh. Flatter and outside off, Singh guides it to point.
Kieron Pollard is the next man in. Also, Ravichandran Ashwin to bowl out.
Mohammed Shami to Quinton de Kock. OUT! Three reds and de Kock has to take the long walk back! He takes a review along with him. That seemed a review in hope though. De Kock shuffles right across then looks to heave it on the leg side. He misses it completely and the ball hits him around the knee roll. An appeal and the umpire raises the finger. De Kock reviews. Replays roll in and they show the on-field call is the right one. End of a brilliant innings from de Kock. He has done his job and laid the foundation for the big hitters to come. Can the batters coming in capitalize or will Punjab pull things back now?
Review time! De Kock has been adjudged LBW but he has reviewed it. Looks out!
Mohammed Shami to Quinton de Kock. SIX! Well, he had no problem timing the ball there, that was right off the middle. Fuller in length and on middle, de Kock plants his front foot across and picks it up, the timing is such that it carries over the square leg fence.
Mohammed Shami to Yuvraj Singh. Another length ball on off, Yuvraj does well to open the face of the bat and guide it down to third man for a single.
Mohammed Shami to Quinton de Kock. De Kock seems to have lost his timing here. Once again fails to find the middle as he hits it through mid-wicket off the inner half for a single.
Mohammed Shami to Yuvraj Singh. Good length again on off, Singh taps it towards cover for a single.
Mohammed Shami to Yuvraj Singh. Down the leg side, Yuvraj looks to flick but misses. It has been wided.
Mohammed Shami to Yuvraj Singh. On the fuller side on middle, Yuvraj strokes it back towards the bowler who gets a hand to it, can't stop it cleanly though but does not concede a run.
Mohammed Shami is back.
Murugan Ashwin to Yuvraj Singh. Flighted on off, Yuvraj strokes it to cover and takes a single. He will keep the strike.
Murugan Ashwin to Yuvraj Singh. Quicker on middle, Yuvraj blocks it.
Murugan Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. Slower on off, de Kock pushes it to cover and takes a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Quinton gets to his fifty with it. A very good knock this from de Kock. It is a floated delivery on middle and leg, de Kock takes the aerial route and looks to heave this over the mid-wicket fence. He does not time it perfectly. But it goes between mid-wicket and long on for a boundary. Two fielders come to get it but cannot get there.
Murugan Ashwin to Yuvraj Singh. Floated on leg, Yuvraj looks to flick it but it goes off his pad towards the on side for a run. Leg bye signalled.
Murugan Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. Flighted on middle and off, de Kock pushes it to covers and takes a single.
Murugan Ashwin is back on.
Andrew Tye to Yuvraj Singh. FOUR! Exquisite! Full on off, Yuvraj drives it straight down the the ground through mid off for a boundary.
Andrew Tye to Quinton de Kock. Shorter on middle, de Kock pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Andrew Tye to Yuvraj Singh. Back of a length on off, Yuvraj defends it with soft hands and takes a very quick single. Murugan Ashwin at cover cannot collect it and they complete it with ease.
Andrew Tye to Yuvraj Singh. FOUR! Slower ball gone wrong. It is full on off, Yuvraj lofts it over the vacant cover region. The ball bounces before the ropes and goes away for a boundary.
Andrew Tye to Quinton de Kock. Shorter delivery on middle, de Kock pulls it away to deep square leg for a single.
Andrew Tye to Quinton de Kock. Length ball on middle, de Kock looks to play it across the line but gets an inside edge onto his pad.
Andrew Tye back into the attack.
Mohammed Shami to Quinton de Kock. Fuller on the pads, de Kock tucks it to deep square leg and keeps the strike.
Mohammed Shami to Quinton de Kock. Beautiful shot to follow the six. Full length delivery on middle, de Kock flicks it wide of mid-wicket for a couple.
Mohammed Shami to Quinton de Kock. SIX! Don't even bother looking, this one is out of here. Length delivery on middle and leg, de Kock rocks onto his back foot and pulls it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. First six of the game and a big one.
Mohammed Shami to Yuvraj Singh. Outside off, Yuvraj runs it down to third man and gets to the other end.
Mohammed Shami to Yuvraj Singh. Good length delivery on the stumps, Yuvi blocks it off his back foot.
Mohammed Shami to Quinton de Kock. Lucky escape there for Shami. Bowls a length ball on the pads, Quinton flicks it but Gayle at short fine leg does well to stop it from going away to the fence. Single taken.
Strategic Break - Mumbai are off to a solid start here. But the loss of 2 wickets might be a cause of worry. Punjab will look to stop the run flow by getting more wickets. Mohammad Shami to bowl after the break.
Murugan Ashwin to Yuvraj Singh. Beauty to finish the over. It is flighted outside off, Yuvraj looks to play it but misses the wrong 'un completely.
Murugan Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. This time connects it. Floated outside off, Quinton cuts it to deep point and gets a run.
Murugan Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. Shorter outside off, Quinton looks to slash it on the off side but only manages to get an inside edge.
Murugan Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Consecutive boundaries! This time to the left of the long on fielder. This is very full on middle, de Kock whips it through mid-wicket and it races away.
Murugan Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Smashed! Dances down the track but Murugan shortens the length. De Kock hammers it through mid on for a boundary.
Murugan Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. The googly on off, de Kock defends it to point. Murugan has started off well here, he has really hit the right lines and lengths.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. Floats it up on middle, de Kock flicks it off the pads through mid-wicket for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Yuvraj Singh. Singh works it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. This is on the pads, de Kock works it through mid-wicket for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Deft! Lovely shot. Second boundary for him like this. Once again waits for it and then stays leg side of the delivery. Guides it past short third man and the ball races away. 1000 Indian T20 League runs for de Kock.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. Veries his pace nicely! The last one was quicker and this one was slower through the air on middle, De Kock keeps it out.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. A very full delivery to begin his new spell. De Kock jams it out towards the bowler.
Ravichandran Ashwin is back.
Murugan Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. Flighted on middle, de Kock paddles it fine of fine leg and keeps the strike.
Murugan Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. Wrong 'un outside off, de Kock looks to slash it on the off side but misses. KL Rahul holds onto the ball and goes up in appeal. It is a confident appeal from Rahul but the umpire is not interested. Punjab do not take the review.
Murugan Ashwin to Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj is off the mark. Lands this on the pads, Singh flicks it to the on side and gets to the other end.
Murugan Ashwin to Yuvraj Singh. Good ball. Flighted and spinning away from the southpaw. Yuvraj looks to push it on the off side but misses.
Murugan Ashwin to Suryakumar Yadav. OUT! Murugan strikes in his very first over. Quicker and straighter on middle, Suryakumar Yadav looks to play it across but misses it completely. It hits him on his front pad, Murugan goes up in appeal and the umpire raises the dreaded finger. It looked plumb in front. Suryakumar thinks about the review but does not take it. Hawk Eye shows it was going to crash the middle stump.
Murugan Ashwin to Suryakumar Yadav. Starts with a leg spinner on middle. It does not turn much and Yadav taps it back to the bowler.
Hardus Viljoen to Suryakumar Yadav. Excellent effort that in the field! That was top class from Mandeep Singh. Another poor ball from HV. He angles it down leg side, SKY loves it there. He flicks it through square leg. The man from fine leg runs to his left and then pushes it back in. The ball however, seems to be rolling back towards the ropes but he does extremely well to recover and then with a dive forward pushes it away from the ropes. Saves his run for his side. Still though 11 from the last three and 12 from the 6th. A wicket too and a big one. Mumbai though will still be the happier of the two sides after the Powerplay. They are 62 for 1 after it.
Hardus Viljoen to Suryakumar Yadav. FOUR! Consecutive ones and this is even better than the last one. Full and on middle, Yadav shows the full face of the bat and then strokes it past mid on for a boundary.
Hardus Viljoen to Suryakumar Yadav. FOUR! Poor ball and it has been put away! Off the mark in style is Yadav. This is on the pads, Yadav says thank you very much and he flicks it through fine leg for a boundary.
Hardus Viljoen to Suryakumar Yadav. This is worked to the man at mid-wicket with the angle.
Suryakumar Yadav walks out at number 3.
Hardus Viljoen to Rohit Sharma. OUT! A huge shout and Rohit has been given! A much-needed wicket for Punjab and it is a big one as Rohit was looking so good. Viljoen draws first blood! He bends his back on this one and bowls it full on middle, Rohit plants his front foot across and looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. An appeal, a long one, the umpire gives it a long thought and then raises the finger. Rohit does not think about reviewing it and rightly so, it looked out. Actually, Hawk Eye later on shows that it was missing the leg pole. Not sure why Rohit did not take the review there. Punjab won't care though. They would now look to pull things back a little.
Hardus Viljoen to Quinton de Kock. Good length and outside off, de Kock looks to cut but gets an under edge towards third man for a single.
Andrew Tye to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! Boundary no. 3 in the over! An expensive first from Tye. This is short and on the body, Rohit swivels and pulls it past short fine leg. No stopping that once it beats the fielder. 50 up for the visitors and they are off to a flier here.
Andrew Tye to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! Effortless! Rohit Sharma takes a few steps ahead and Tye spots that. He looks to outsmart the batsman by bowling it short. Rohit though is smarter as he just uses the pace and guides it past point for the second boundary in the over.
Andrew Tye to Quinton de Kock. Another single! Rotation of strike is very important and the two openers are doing that well. Now de Kock strokes it towards mid off for a single.
Andrew Tye to Rohit Sharma. Sensible batting as he follows the boundary with a single to mid on.
Andrew Tye to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! Up and over! That is all you have to do in the Powerplay - clear the infield. Full and outside off, Rohit lofts it over covers. The fielder gives it a chase and dives but his effort goes in vain.
Andrew Tye to Quinton de Kock. Starts off with a full toss, he was maybe going for a yorker but misses. It is stroked back towards him. He gets a hand to it but can't stop a single as the ball rolls towards mid on.
Andrew Tye is on now.
Hardus Viljoen to Rohit Sharma. A couple to end the over! The first one of the day where no boundary was hit. This is on the pads, de Kock flicks it through mid-wicket and takes two.
Hardus Viljoen to Quinton de Kock. A single now for the third time in this over to the fielder at third man.
Hardus Viljoen to Quinton de Kock. On the shorter side and outside off, de Kock guides it but can't find the gap at covers.
Hardus Viljoen to Rohit Sharma. Rohit Sharma now guides it towards third man and takes a single.
Hardus Viljoen to Quinton de Kock. Goes to bowling length and around off, de Kock plays it late and guides it down to third man for a single.
Hardus Viljoen to Quinton de Kock. Starts off with a short ball around off, de Kock manages to drag his pull through mid-wicket and the batters take two.
Hardus Viljoen is on now.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. Another single to end another good over for Mumbai. De Kock works it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rohit Sharma. Darts it on the stumps, Rohit punches it down to long on and takes a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. Another risky shot as de Kock stays leg side of the delivery and then guides the ball off the stumps towards point for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Just over! De Kock would have surely had his heart in his mouth there. He goes for the sweep shot and does not keep it down. It goes just over the outstretched hand of the fielder at square leg for a boundary.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rohit Sharma. This is fired into the stumps, Rohit goes back and pushes it down to long on for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rohit Sharma. That one stays a touch low! Flatter and outside off, Rohit adjusts and guides it to short third man.
Mohammed Shami to Rohit Sharma. Single to end the over. On middle and leg, Rohit flicks it wide of square leg to keep the strike. 13 off Shami's first.
Mohammed Shami to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! This is beautiful. Full length delivery on off, Sharma drives this through covers for second boundary of the over.
Mohammed Shami to Quinton de Kock. Good length ball on middle and leg, de Kock pushes it towards mid on and gets to the other end.
Mohammed Shami to Rohit Sharma. Slashes it hard but only a single. Length ball outside off, Sharma slaps it towards third man for a single.
Mohammed Shami to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! Bouncer from Shami, Rohit rocks onto his back foot and pulls it over the fielder at short fine leg for a boundary. Bad ball with the fine leg inside the circle.
Mohammed Shami to Rohit Sharma. Starts with a good length delivery on the pads, Sharma flicks it wide of square leg for a couple.
Pacer to bowl from the other end and Mohammed Shami it is.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Now then, what has happened here? Miscalculation from the umpire, Ashwin just bowled the 7th ball of the over and it has cost him. Take nothing away from the shot though. De Kock nicely waits for it and then at the very end, opens the face of the bat and guides it through short third man for a boundary. First of the game. So what would have been a tight over has turned into a good one for Mumbai.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rohit Sharma. A direct hit but an overthrow! Rohit Sharma taps it towards cover-point. De Kock sets off for a single but then is sent back at the right time. The fielder at point gets to the ball quickly and hits the bull's eye at the non-striker's end. The batsmen though is well in. The ball deflects off the stumps away from the backup fielder and a single is taken.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rohit Sharma. It seemed like the carom ball, it is on off. Sharma goes back and pushes it to covers.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. This one is angled into the batsman, de Kock works it through mid-wicket and takes a single. He too is off the mark.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. Slower through the air on middle, looking for some turn. There ain't any and de Kock defends it onto the ground.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rohit Sharma. Goes flatter this time and on the stumps, the ball just skids on. Rohit easily plays it towards point and takes a single. Mumbai and their skipper are underway.
We are all set for the action to begin! The Mumbai openers, Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock make their way out to the middle. The right-hander will take strike and I feel the main reason for him taking strike is because the offie, Ravichandran Ashwin is starting off proceedings. Easier for the right-hander as the ball will be turning back in. Here we go...
Andrew Tye is caught down for a chat before the game. He says a couple of weeks ago he had a chance to bowl with the Australian team in the nets and that helped him get used to the conditions. Says he is never afraid to try different things and he watches a lot of footage of the batsman and makes plans according to them. Reckons there is always pace and bounce on the pitch and thus expects it to be a high scoring game. Admits that Mumbai has a strong batting line-up and hopes that they can execute their plans that they have made.
Mumbai skipper, Rohit Sharma, says he wanted to bat first and reckons this was a good toss to lose. Admits that they have to play well though and the last time they did well defending. Further adds that they have good bowling depth and the composition helps them. Ends by saying there is no change in the squad.
Punjab skipper, Ravichandran Ashwin, says they would want to bowl first. Mentions they want to make use of the conditions in the afternoon and then hope the wicket gets easier to bat on. States they have got enough experience playing on this ground, they have a good record here and they would like to continue that. Informs they have one change, a forced one as Varun Chakravarthy goes out and Murugan Ashwin comes in.
TOSS - Up goes the coin and it lands in the favor of the hosts. Punjab elect to bowl.
PITCH REPORT - Michael Slater says there is always grass here on the pitch in Mohali. Reckons the bounce and pace is more here than Wankhede. Feels Punjab will rely more on Andrew Tye on this pitch. Tells us the average score here in the 1st innings is 169. Feels the dew will not play a factor here.
Hello and welcome to the 1st game of this double-header Saturday in the Indian T20 League. Punjab host Mumbai first up in what will be the first game of the season here in Mohali. Both teams come into this in contrasting form. The visitors won their last game against Bangalore, whereas, Punjab lost their battle against Kolkata. But it's a new day and both teams will be looking to get a win here. Punjab showed good form here last season and they would like to start their home campaign with a win. Will Mumbai make it 2 wins in a row or will Punjab make it 2 losses in 3 for Mumbai? Stay tuned for further updates as the action is not far away.
Mayank Agarwal has been awarded the Man of the Match award for his quickfire 43 off 21 balls. That is it from this game. Punjab have won their first game at home. Indian T20 League action is not done for the day as we head to Delhi for the second game of the day. So switch your tabs and join us for the coverage of the match between Delhi and Kolkata.
Earlier in the day, Mumbai after putting into bat posted 176 runs on the board courtesy of a fifty from Quinton de Kock and a 19 balls 31 from Hardik Pandya. At one stage it looked like the visitor's would post 200 but the collapse in middle order restricted them to 176.
As for Mumbai's bowling, all the bowler's went for runs and they struggled to pick wickets. Only Krunal Pandya was amongst the wickets but he was costly. Going for 43 off his 4. Barring Bumrah, who himself was not at his brilliant best, every other bowler went for more than 8 runs in an over.
A very professional chase by Punjab. They hardly ever looked in danger in this chase. Chris Gayle and KL Rahul started off with a cautious approach but Gayle then started smashing the bowlers. He was looking set to get another half century but missed out. Mayank Agarwal replaced him in the middle and started off in an aggressive manner right from the word go. Two 50-run stand along with a sensible unbeaten knock of 71 from KL Rahul guided Punjab over the line.
Jasprit Bumrah to David Miller. There it is! Miller hits the winning runs as he pulls it through square leg. Customary handshakes taking place out there as PUNJAB WIN BY 8 WICKETS!
Jasprit Bumrah to David Miller. That cuts him in half! On the shorter side, Miller looks to work it around the corner but the ball zips through and whizzes past the inside edge.
Jasprit Bumrah to Lokesh Rahul. SCORES ARE LEVEL! Short and on the body, Rahul swivels and pulls it to the fine leg fielder for a single.
Jasprit Bumrah to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Educational edge! Length and outside off, Rahul looks to open the face of the bat but the ball goes off the edge, a lot finer than he wanted to play it and to the third man fence. Two runs away now.
Mitchell McClenaghan to David Miller. FOUR! Yes, it does. Full length delivery outside off, Miller smashes it through covers. It is wide of the fielders at deep and they have no chance to stop that. Only 6 needed off the last 2.
Mitchell McClenaghan to David Miller. WIDE! Poor this from McClenaghan. It is a full toss outside leg. Miller looks to flick it but misses. Wide signalled. Will this extra ball prove to be costly?
Mitchell McClenaghan to Lokesh Rahul. On the pads this time, Rahul easily glances it to fine leg and gets to the other end. 3 off the over so far. Good over this till now.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Lokesh Rahul. Slower ball on a length. It is outside leg, Rahul makes room and flat bats it but finds the fielder at cover.
Mitchell McClenaghan to David Miller. Yorker. Excellent execution this from McClenaghan. It is on leg, Miller to his credit does really well to get his bat down and scamper through for a single.
Mitchell McClenaghan to David Miller. Bouncer. It is on off, Miller sways away from the way of it.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Lokesh Rahul. Slighly fuller on the leg side, Rahul looks to paddle it but it gets a feather on it and it clips his thigh pad. The ball goes to the left of de Kock. Single taken.
Mitchell McClenaghan is back on.
Jasprit Bumrah to Lokesh Rahul. Single to end the over. Good length ball again. This time it is outside off, Rahul flat bats it to cover and keeps the strike.
Jasprit Bumrah to Lokesh Rahul. Back of a length outside off, Rahul looks to upper cut it but misses.
Jasprit Bumrah to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Two in two for Rahul. The pressure now on Bumrah. Length delivery on middle, Rahul lifts his front leg and pulls it powerfully through square leg for a boundary.
Jasprit Bumrah to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Just what Punjab wanted. Good length delivery on off, Raul gets on top of that one and smashes his drive through covers for a boundary.
Jasprit Bumrah to Lokesh Rahul. Length delivery on off, Rahul strokes it towards point. Yuvraj there diving to his left misfields allowing them to take the couple.
Jasprit Bumrah to Lokesh Rahul. Starts with a fast ball on a length. It is on middle and off, Rahul pushes it to mid off.
Jasprit Bumrah back into the attack.
Lasith Malinga to Lokesh Rahul. Takes a single to keep strike for the next over by pushing it down to long off. 12 from this over and now only 26 is needed from the last 4.
Lasith Malinga to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Now moves onto 50 in style! A well-crafted innings. He started off slowly, played second fiddle to both, Gayle and Agarwal but then stepped on the gas when his team needed him to. He though would love to stay there till the end. Gets there with a pull shot towards fine leg. It was not off the middle, it flew off the glove but he won't care. Raises his bat and soaks in the applause.
Lasith Malinga to Lokesh Rahul. On the middle stump, Rahul flicks it through mid-wicket. The placement is nice and the batter takes two. Moves onto 48.
Lasith Malinga to Lokesh Rahul. WIDE! Down the leg side, Rahul looks to flick but misses.
Lasith Malinga to Lokesh Rahul. Misfield and an extra run conceded! Once again, this is not good especially at this moment. This is short and outside off, Rahul slaps it through covers. The fielder there misfields and concedes an extra run. Almost concedes another run as his direct hit deflects away from the keeper but the batsmen do not take it.
Lasith Malinga to David Miller. A confident drive down to long off for a run. Need not do anything silly at the moment.
Lasith Malinga to Lokesh Rahul. Slower ball down the leg side, it is flicked through square leg for a single.
Strategic Break - The game here is evenly poised but Punjab have an upper hand here. 37 needed off 5 overs with 8 wickets in hand one must think it is Punjab's game. Mumbai though will look to pull things back with a few wickets. Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga hold the key for them. Lasith Malinga to bowl after the break.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. FOUR! Boundary to end and it is probably the over which turns the tide in completely in the favor of the hosts. 19 from it. A poor delivery again, short and on the body. Miller just helps it on its way to the fine leg fence.
Hardik Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. Once again smart batting, does not try anything fancy, he strokes it through covers for a single.
Hardik Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! That has gone to the fence like a tracer bullet. It was uppish but in the gap. Full and on off, Rahul leans into the stroke and caresses it through covers. Moves into the 40s and it seems that the biggie has got him going.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. Corrects his line and bowls it on the stumps, Miller pushes it through covers for a run. There is a misfield but no extra run taken.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. Another wide! This is just not good from Pandya. Again it is down the leg side, Miller misses the flick and once again it has been wided.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. WIDE! Can't bowl extras at the moment. Down the leg side, Miller looks to flick but misses.
Hardik Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. Sensible batting! Now works it through mid-wicket and takes a single.
Hardik Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. SIX! What a shot that is! Rahul finally comes to the fore! Slightly short and outside off, Rahul stays leg side of the delivery, arches his back and then cuts it over point. Goes all the way. Once again the perfect start to the over for the hosts.
Krunal Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. A single to end as Rahul strokes it through coves. An expensive over but once again an important wicket too. 56 needed in the last 6.
Krunal Pandya to David Miller. A nice slap through covers for a single. Judging by the first two shots, it seems Miller has come out with intent here.
Krunal Pandya to David Miller. Miller straightaway goes for it as he uses his feet and hits it wide of long on for a couple.
David Miller is the new man in for Punjab.
Krunal Pandya to Mayank Agarwal. OUT! Caught and bowled! Krunal Pandya is once again the partnership breaker. A sharp catch this. Agarwal makes room and Krunal follows him as he fires it in. Mayank though punches it firmly but uppishly back to where it came from. Krunal there gets his body behind and takes it. End of an enterprising innings from Agarwal. He has done the job. Mumbai though will hope to get a couple more quickly. 60 more needed.
Krunal Pandya to Mayank Agarwal. Direct hit needed... but misses! Agarwal now works it through mid-wicket. They take one and go for the second. Hardik in the deep gets to the ball and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. Would have been close had he hit.
Krunal Pandya to Mayank Agarwal. SIX! As easy you as you like from Mayank! 41 from 19 is the batsman who walked out at no. 3. Makes room and then lofts it wide of long off. The connection is such that it carries all the way. Ideal start to the over. Pressure on the bowler.
Hardik Pandya to Mayank Agarwal. A dot to end as Agarwal finds cover with his drive. 6 from this over, a good one and a much-needed one for Mumbai.
Hardik Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. Short in length and outside off again, Rahul slaps it through covers for a run. He would have wanted to get this a lot squarer but could not. Needed to play that a fraction late.
Hardik Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. Lovely fielding! Every run matters here! Rahul squirts it through point and it races across the turf. Mitchell in the deep makes a lot of ground to his left and then stops it with a slide. Saves two for his side.
Hardik Pandya to Mayank Agarwal. Another cutter outside off, Agarwal looks to find the gap in the point region. Does not so only a single. The first three balls have belonged to the visitors. Only 2 from it.
Hardik Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. Whips it nicely towards wide long on but only for a single.
Hardik Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. On the bounce! Slightly short and outside off, Rahul opens the face and guides it to point on the bounce.
Hardik Pandya back into the attack.
Krunal Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. Another single to end as Rahul pushes it through covers. This also brings up the 50-run stand between the two. Another very good one and it is keeping Punjab on top at the moment. Once again Rahul is happy to play second fiddle in this one. The two need to carry on though.
Krunal Pandya to Mayank Agarwal. Darts it in on off, Agarwal pushes it down to long off for a single.
Krunal Pandya to Mayank Agarwal. SIX! All the way! 100 up for the hosts. Excellent use of the feet, gets to the pitch of it and then tonks it over the long on fence for a biggie. 76 in 50 needed now, Punjab on top.
Krunal Pandya to Mayank Agarwal. Long boundaries square of the wicket so an easy two! Mayank pushes this wide of sweeper cover and collects a brace.
Krunal Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. A full toss but Rahul misses out. He though gets a single as the fielder at cover misfields.
Krunal Pandya to Mayank Agarwal. This is angled into the batsman, it is pushed through covers for a run.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Lokesh Rahul. Another couple! Good running! Now when boundaries are hard to come by, the running between the wickets need to be good and Rahul is doing that well here. He strokes it through covers, takes the first one quickly. Since it is a long boundary goes for the second and completes it.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Mayank Agarwal. Another single as this is worked through mid-wicket by Mayank Agarwal.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Lokesh Rahul. Walks right across and then works it through mid-wicket for a single.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Lokesh Rahul. Nicely played for a couple! Waits for the ball to come to him and then just opens the face at the very end. Hits it through point and takes two.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Lokesh Rahul. Walks right across and tries to flick but gets an inside edge onto his pads. Rahul has just not got going here.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Mayank Agarwal. On the fuller side on off, this is eased down to long off for a single.
Mitchell McClenaghan is back on.
Krunal Pandya to Mayank Agarwal. Appeal for lbw. Turned down. Flighted on leg, Mayank looks to flick but misses. The ball hits his pad and goes to the off side. Krunal and the keeper go up in appeal but the umpire is not interested. Looked to be going down the leg.
Krunal Pandya to Mayank Agarwal. Loopy delivery on middle, Agarwal flicks it wide of deep mid-wicket and gets a brace.
Krunal Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. Floated on middle, Rahul nudges it to square leg and takes a run. Before the start of the ball. Krunal warned Mayank that he was leaving the crease early.
Krunal Pandya to Mayank Agarwal. On middle and leg, Agarwal tucks it to the on side for a single.
Krunal Pandya to Mayank Agarwal. WIDE! Krunal sprays this down the leg side. Mayank looks to paddle but misses. Wide signalled.
Krunal Pandya to Mayank Agarwal. FOUR! Edgy but Punjab will take it with both hands. Shorter delivery outside off, Mayank clears his front foot and looks to cut it but gets a thick outside edge. It flies away from the short third man fielder for a boundary.
Krunal Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. Tossed up on off, Rahul hits it uppishly towards long on for a single.
Mayank Markande to Mayank Agarwal. FOUR! Second boundary in the over! Another productive one for the hosts. Another one which is slightly short, Mayank once again picks the length early. He pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. 104 now in 66.
Mayank Markande to Lokesh Rahul. Rahul is happy taking the singles as he works it towards mid-wicket.
Mayank Markande to Mayank Agarwal. Flatter and on middle, Agarwal works it around the corner for a single.
Mayank Markande to Mayank Agarwal. FOUR! Short ball and put away! It is on middle, Mayank is quickly onto his back foot and then pulls it through mid-wicket. It is in the gap and a boundary results.
Mayank Markande to Mayank Agarwal. The googly on off, Agarwal defends it out.
Mayank Markande to Mayank Agarwal. The googly but down the leg side, it has been wided as the batsman misses his flick.
Mayank Markande to Lokesh Rahul. Shorter and outside off, Rahul slaps it through covers for a run.
Mayank Markande to roll his arm over.
Krunal Pandya to Mayank Agarwal. FOUR! Over the bowler's head! Lovely shot. The key here was he transfers his weight on the front foot and plays it with a straight bat. It bounces once before the ropes and then skids on, leaving the fielder at long off no chance to stop it. A much-needed boundary. 9 off the over but the wicket of Gayle.
Krunal Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. Very full and on the pads, Rahul whips it through square leg for a run.
Krunal Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. This is worked through mid-wicket. The batsmen take one and then go for the second, the misfield from the fielder makes it easier for them.
Krunal Pandya to Mayank Agarwal. This is eased down to long on for a run.
Mayank Agarwal walks out at number 3.
Krunal Pandya to Chris Gayle. OUT! In the air... taken! The Pandya brothers combine to get rid of Chris Gayle. Mumbai are absolutely pumped up as Gayle was hitting almost everything out of the park. He falls 10 short of a half ton. Clever bowling by Krunal. He bowls it very wide outside off, hoping for Gayle to reach out and look to hit against the angle on the leg side. Gayle falls to that trap as he tries to clear long on. It goes right off the bottom. Hardik at long on settles under it and takes it. Punjab need 124 more.
Krunal Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. This is fired on the pads, Rahul works it through mid-wicket for a single. This is what the right-hander is doing, giving the strike to the big man.
Krunal Pandya introduced into the attack.
Hardik Pandya to Chris Gayle. This time he succeeds to stay out of Gayle's reach. The umpire feels it is inside the tramline so a dot to end. An expensive over though. 14 from it.
Hardik Pandya to Chris Gayle. Pressure now on the bowler! He succumbs under it and bowls it way too wide outside off. Wided.
Hardik Pandya to Chris Gayle. SIX! Once again Gayle hits back-to-back maximums! This is better than the last one. Full and on off, Gayle clears his front leg and tonks it over the bowler's head. The straight boundaries are short so it carries all the way. The big man has released all the pressure that was building. 50 up for the hosts. It has not come up in quick time but they have not lost a wicket.
Hardik Pandya to Chris Gayle. SIX! Well, the big man is handling the pressure really well. A much-needed biggie. The slower one on middle, Gayle picks it and whacks it over the square leg fence.
Hardik Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. A single this time as this is pushed down to long on. Rahul is playing on 11 from 19. He is taking his own time here but he needs to get going or the pressure will build on Gayle.
Hardik Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. Back of a length on middle, Rahul is happy to guide it to point.
Hardik Pandya to Lokesh Rahul. Starts off with a fuller ball on off, Rahul strokes it to mid off.
Hardik Pandya is on now.
Strategic Break.
Jasprit Bumrah to Lokesh Rahul. Another single! Just two from the final over of the Powerplay. Punjab are 38 for 0 after the first six. A watchful Powerplay for them, they haven't gone at a high rate but have not lost a wicket too. The rate though is just below 10 as they need 139 in 14 overs.
Jasprit Bumrah to Lokesh Rahul. Goes fuller in length on middle, Rahul drives it crisply but finds mid off. Just the single from the over so far.
Jasprit Bumrah to Chris Gayle. A quick single! Gayle pushes this towards mid off and gets to the other end. The fielder does have a shy but misses.
Jasprit Bumrah to Chris Gayle. On the shorter side and it is on the body, Gayle pulls it nicely but finds the fielder at square leg.
Jasprit Bumrah to Chris Gayle. Length again around off, Gayle gets right behind the delivery and pushes it to mid off.
Jasprit Bumrah to Chris Gayle. Slower ball on middle, Gayle looks to keep it out with a straight bat but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Lasith Malinga to Chris Gayle. On the pads, Gayle flicks it towards square leg and keeps the strike.
Lasith Malinga to Chris Gayle. FOUR! Good length delivery outside off, Gayle flat bats it through covers. Gayle looks in the mood today. Second boundary off the over.
Lasith Malinga to Chris Gayle. In the air but safe. Full length ball on off, Gayle drives it uppishly wide of mid off. The fielder throws it at the keeper's end where Gayle was out of his crease.
Lasith Malinga to Chris Gayle. FOUR! Fuller delivery on off, Gayle squeezes it past mid off and the ball races away to the fence.
Lasith Malinga to Chris Gayle. Good length delivery on off, Chris drives it but finds the fielder at mid off.
Lasith Malinga to Chris Gayle. Full length delivery on off, Gayle pushes it to the fielder at cover.
Lasith Malinga back into the attack.
Jasprit Bumrah to Lokesh Rahul. A dot to end! Back of a length on off, Rahul defends it. Just the boundary then from the over.
Jasprit Bumrah to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Exquisite! Full and on off, Rahul just leans into the stoke, pierces the gap on the off side and bags a boundary. He looks lovely while playing through the off side.
Jasprit Bumrah to Lokesh Rahul. Back of a length on off, Rahul pushes it to covers.
Jasprit Bumrah to Lokesh Rahul. An inside edge this time! The slower one on off, this pitches and comes back in. Rahul looks to defend but it goes off the inside edge towards fine leg.
Jasprit Bumrah to Lokesh Rahul. The batsman works it down the leg side.
Jasprit Bumrah to Lokesh Rahul. This one is angled into the batsman who works it to the fielder at mid-wicket.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Lokesh Rahul. Rahul is happy to play second fiddle here! He nicely nudges it through square leg and a run is taken. An expensive over though, 15 from it.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Lokesh Rahul. Once again a little too straight, this time though it is worked to mid-wicket.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Chris Gayle. 13 from it now as Gayle works this through mid-wicket for a single. Good batting from the big man, he is putting away the bad balls and is willing to work the good balls around.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Chris Gayle. SIX! Consecutive maximums! This one is also huge. It is also his 300th six in the Indian T20 League. This time it is fuller in length on middle, Gayle lofts it over the wide long on fence. 12 from the over, three balls to go.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Chris Gayle. SIX! That is colossal! A cracking sound of the bat on that one! Short and on middle, Gayle picks the length early and deposits it into the mid-wicket stands.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Lokesh Rahul. On the leg stump, not good bowling with fine leg up. Rahul though with soft hands works it towards mid-wicket and takes a run.
Lasith Malinga to Chris Gayle. A huge shout once again it is for an LBW against Gayle. The umpire is unmoved again though. Full and tailing back in from leg stump. Gayle looks to drive but misses. It hits him on the pads. Malinga is pleading but the umpire shakes his head. Going down leg. A cautious start by the two openers.
Lasith Malinga to Lokesh Rahul. Slower ball, Rahul was slightly foxed but then does well to adjust and stroke it down to long on for a single.
Lasith Malinga to Lokesh Rahul. The seam-up ball this time and it is on a length around off, Rahul goes back and defends it onto the ground.
Lasith Malinga to Lokesh Rahul. Another slower one and outside off, Rahul goes back and guides it to cover-point. That was nicely timed but could not find the gap.
Lasith Malinga to Chris Gayle. Slower ball and outside off, Gayle guides it towards short third man. The fielder misfields. However, the fielder next to him does the mopping up job and keeps it down to one.
Lasith Malinga to Lokesh Rahul. This is on the pads, it is worked through mid-wicket for a single.
Lasith Malinga to bowl from the other end.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Chris Gayle. FOUR! This time Gayle goes through with the shot. Once again a shorter delivery, Gayle this time upper cuts it over the short third man fielder for a boundary.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Chris Gayle. Good ball this. Surprises Gayle with a shorter one. Chris sways away from it but thinks to upper cut it for a second. He decides otherwise.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Chris Gayle. Back of a length delivery on off, Gayle flat bats it to the fielder at point.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Chris Gayle. Once again on a length, Gayle taps it to the fielder at point.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Chris Gayle. Nervous start here for Gayle. Good length delivery on off, the ball comes in after pitching. Gayle looks to play across the line but gets hit high on the pad. The bowler appeals but the umpire turns it down. They don't take it upstairs as Rohit feels it is too high.
Mitchell McClenaghan to Lokesh Rahul. The chase is off the mark. McClenaghan starts with a good length delivery outside off, Rahul taps it towards backward point and gets to the other end.
We are back for the chase. Out walk Punjab's opening pair of Chris Gayle and KL Rahul. Mitchell McClenaghan to start the proceedings with the new ball.