IPL 2018, KXIP vs MI: 5 reasons why Punjab lost

In the first encounter this year at Indore, Kings XI Punjab were hosting Mumbai Indians on a batting friendly wicket.

Put into bat, the home team saw a sluggish start from the openers who failed to take the advantage of the first six overs. However, some power hitting from Karun Nair and Marcus Stoinis late in the innings, saw Kings XI post a tricky 174 in their quota of 20 overs.

Chasing 175, Mumbai needed a brisk start at the top but the men in blue succumbed under pressure as they failed to up the ante in the first six overs. However, it was always that one partnership that could have propelled the flurry of runs for Mumbai.

The same happened when Krunal Pandya stroked few biggies to allow Mumbai live yet another day in this IPL as they cruised to victory by 6 wickets.

Here are some of the reasons that brought about a Punjab loss:

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#1 Kings XI were 10-15 runs short on the board

It was a ground where even scores in excess of 200 are chased with ease. On such a track, the home team failed to post a challenging total. In their 20 overs, they somehow managed to reach 174 courtesy that last over blitz that helped them reach the eventual total.

This proved to be the difference between the two sides as the home team looked 10-15 runs short at the end. The bowlers tried every possible bit to defend the score but needed a better cushion of runs on a ground where shot-making is a walk in the park.

#2 Suryakumar Yadav played a handy knock

It was much essential from Mumbai’s point of view to keep up with the required rate after a much slower start which was then followed by the wicket of Evin Lewis. At such a stage, Suryakumar Yadav once again proved his excellence by carrying his side out of the danger.

He played a smart knock of 57 runs from 42 deliveries to put his side in a comfortable position. The highlight of the innings was some of his trademark shots that he played with utmost ease. The Mumbai-lad didn’t allow the pressure to get better of him as he kept hitting his shots with constantly rotating the strike to keep the scoreboard moving.

#3 Punjab were sloppy in the field

After being short with runs on the scoreboard, the home team required a collective effort from the bowlers and the fielders to restrict Mumbai Indians. However, things didn’t go their way in the field as they looked like a sloppy fielding side in the second innings.

On a couple of occasions, batsmen didn’t find it difficult to steal singles in the circle. The intention to keep the runs flowing paid off for Mumbai as Punjab even missed few run-outs which could have been touch and go, had they hit the stumps.

Apart from ground fielding, the players coasting the boundary were not committed in their effort as they leaked about two or three boundaries that should have been potential stops.

#4 Krunal Pandya turning the match on its head

Mumbai looked in a spot of bother after the dismissal of Hardik Pandya, who was hitting the ball well. But it was just before his elder brother arrived at the crease to turn the match on its head. It appeared as if he came set from the dugout and carried on from where he left in the last game.

Krunal Pandya struck a 12-ball 31 to see his side over the line with six wickets to spare. He took on the bowlers without wasting any time and released the pressure from the other end to allow Rohit to play his shots freely. It was eventually a game-defining knock that helped Mumbai survive yet another day in the tournament.

#5 Poor death bowling from Kings XI Punjab bowlers

It was one of those days at the office when Kings XI bowlers faltered just before the finishing line. The attack saw themselves at the receiving end as they failed to defend more than fifty runs in the last five overs. The opposition went all guns blazing and took the charge against the bowlers.

The major disappointment came from their most trusted bowler in Andrew Tye who went for 35 in his four overs. The pressure was released in the 18th over bowled by Marcus Stoinis, who conceded 20 runs to pave an easy win for the Mumbai Indians. This loss for Punjab will be an eye-opener as this leaves them at the 4th spot in the points table.

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