5 memorable moments from the MI-KXIP match that don't fade away

At one point in this game, it felt like Mumbai would go on to win it and eliminate Punjab from the tournament in the process. However, some great death bowling from the Kings’ bowlers in the last two overs sealed a close win for them, keeping their qualification chances alive.

Batting first, Punjab put up a gargantuan total of 230 runs courtesy brilliant efforts from Wriddhiman Saha and Glenn Maxwell. In response, the Mumbai Indians started the innings fantastically, thanks to some good batting from Lendl Simmons.

Extra Cover: IPL 2017, MI v KXIP: Wriddhiman Saha's promotion to the opening slot is SK Turning Point of the Match

However, they couldn’t carry on till the end and win the game after a brilliant last couple of overs by Punjab. Here are 5 memorable moments from the match that don't fade away, quite like the Axe Signature range of body perfumes.

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#1 Maxwell marvel

In the final games of the Indian Premier League, it seems as though the real Glenn Maxwell has turned up for the Kings XI Punjab. In the last few games, we have witnessed some insane hitting from the Australian – and tonight was no different. Against the Mumbai Indians, the Australian batsman promoted himself to number 3 and smashed 47 runs off only 21 balls. His innings comprised 5 sixes and 2 boundaries as his power packed performance helped Punjab cross the 200 mark.

#2 Saha’s superiority

Saha’s promotion to the top worked wonders for KXIP

It was a shame that the man from Bengal couldn’t reach the three-figure mark against the Indians. Nonetheless, it was a brilliant knock against a team that have some of the finest bowlers on the planet lined up as one unit.

Saha was fearless and displayed a sense of invincibility against the Indians’ bowlers – and it showed since none of the bowlers could get him out. His audacity was evident in the 15th over as he smashed a delivery straight over the bowler's head for a six.

In the end, his innings of 93 from 55 balls consisted of 11 boundaries and three sixes and was the pillar on which Punjab’s innings was built.

#3 Bumrah’s tight bowling

Bumrah was the pick of the MI bowlers

There is a school of thought that suggests that world class bowlers can bowl well on any track, no matter how flat. All he needs is a clever brain to outwit the batsmen and a steady thought process.

And Mumbai Indians are lucky that they have Jasprit Bumrah in that mould.

His brilliant change of pace and cunning variations left the Punjab batsmen bemused. In a game where the Punjab outfit scored 230 runs, Bumrah gave away only 24 runs in his 4 overs and also took the important wicket of Glenn Maxwell in the process.

#4 Lendl Simmons continues to impress

Simmons got Mumbai off to a flying start yet again

The most beautiful thing about West Indians is how powerfully they smash the ball around the park. With Lendl Simmons, however, there is something else added too: pure elegance.

Unlike Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo, Simmons relies more on timing than just sheer strength. This is something that sets him apart from the rest of the West Indians players, but he is just as effective, if not more.

Tonight wasn’t any different as he gave his team a beautiful start by smashing 59 from just 32 balls, hitting 5 fours and 4 sixes in the process. His efforts might have gone in vain, but Mumbai Indians know that they have a reliable opener for the crucial games up ahead.

#5 Kieron Pollard’s Bane-esque innings

Pollard began in style but finished with a whimper

In Batman: The Dark Knight Rises, the masterplan of super-villain, Bane, was to destroy Gotham after giving its people hope. And it would have worked had it not been for Batman’s timely intrusion.

Similarly, Kieron Pollard decided to don the role of Bane tonight. The West Indian batsman started his innings with vehemence, hitting the Punjab bowlers out of the park. His insane wrath gave the Mumbai fans hope…only for him to shatter those hopes later on.

In the final two overs, ‘Polly’ failed to connect with the ball as Mumbai Indians fell short by 7 runs. He ended the game with 50 runs from 24 balls to his name – a good innings, but not a match-winning one.