IPL 2018, MI vs KXIP: Hits and Misses

In the 50th game of the season, Mumbai Indians hosted Kings XI Punjab in a crucial encounter. Ravichandran Ashwin called right at the toss and put MI into bat first.

The hosts did get off to a fast start as they got 37 runs in 3 overs. But they lost 4 wickets in the next few overs and looked in trouble at 71/4. However, comeback-man Kieron Pollard scored a blazing 22-ball fifty and he shared a vital 65-run stand with Krunal Pandya (who scored 23-ball 32).

But KXIP came back strongly at the death as they gave away just 35 runs in the last 5 overs. But MI still ended up with 186 in their 20 overs.

Chasing a stiff target, KXIP lost Chris Gayle in the 4th over for 18. But KL Rahul continued his magnificent form as along with Aaron Finch, he steadied the ship. The duo shared an excellent 111-run stand and kept the visitors in the hunt.

But Finch departed for a well-made 46 and it was after his dismissal Rahul took the responsibility and scored a scintillating 94 and fell in the penultimate over as his wicket turned the game on its head as KXIP couldn’t get 20 off the last 9 deliveries and faltered to their fourth consecutive defeat.

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#5 Miss: Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle was once again dismissed by a short delivery

Chris Gayle started the season in style, silencing his critics. The 38-year-old West Indian opener scored 302 runs in his first 5 innings but has tapered away in the last few games.

Before this game against MI, Gayle had scored just 48 runs in the last 4 innings. In this crucial game, KXIP would’ve hoped that the big Jamaican opener would deliver. However, that didn’t happen as Gayle was back in the hut early and he scored just 18.

Chasing 187, KXIP needed Gayle to give them a good start at the top of the order. He did give them some hope as he started well scoring a couple of boundaries and a six. But he once again fell to the short ball as he tried to pull

McClenaghan and was out caught at deep square-leg. Thus, it was a fifth successive low-score for Gayle.

#4 Hit: Kieron Pollard

Kieron Pollard dropped for the last couple of weeks but he came back and scored an excellent 50

Kieron Pollard has been a wonderful player for Mumbai Indians over the years. He’s delivered for them time and again and it was no surprise when they retained him using the RTM card in the auction earlier this year. However, he had a woeful first half where he scored just 76 runs in 6 innings and was eventually dropped.

With JP Duminy not contributing and not getting many opportunities, MI brought back their West Indian talisman for this must-win clash against KXIP. Pollard came into bat ahead of Hardik Pandya at No. 6 in the 9th over of the innings. With more than 11 overs to go, the big West Indian all-rounder took his time at the start of his innings as he scored 13 off his first 12 balls.

But the six he hit of Axar Patel on the last ball of the 13th over got him going. He then struck 4 fours and 2 sixes in the next two overs and reached a blistering 22-ball half-century. He was dismissed as soon as he reached 50 but he completely turned the momentum of the innings. MI were 79/4 in 10 overs and on the back of Pollard’s blitz with some support from Krunal Pandya, the hosts scored 72 runs in the next 5 overs.

#3 Miss: Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya struggled with both bat and ball

Hardik Pandya’s return to form has been one of the main reasons for MI’s late surge this season. He’s been excellent with the ball (where he has picked up 18 wickets and is the second highest wicket-taker) and with the bat, he’s been finishing quite well for MI.

However, he had a poor game as he failed to deliver with both bat and ball. He came into bat in the 15th over and the situation was ideal for him. Kieron Pollard and Krunal Pandya had a blistering partnership. But the 24-year-old Baroda all-rounder struggled and could only score 9 and faced 12 balls for it.

With the ball, the younger Pandya was taken for 19 runs in his first over (conceding 3 fours and a six). He then conceded 11 runs in his next over but he came back well in his last two overs conceding just 12. But his figures of 0/42 were one of the most expensive for MI in this game.

#2 Hit: KL Rahul

KL Rahul scored his sixth half-century of the season but once again his effort went in vain

KL Rahul has been in the form of his life in this IPL. He’s never got out for a single-digit in this season. In fact, he’s carried KXIP’s batting line-up for the most part of the season.

Rahul started off sedately as he scored 17 off 14 deliveries. He then upped the ante and reached his fifty in 36 balls. But it was after the dismissal in the 17th over that he shifted gears. He went after the bowling and took KXIP very close and it seemed like he was taking them over the line before he holed to long-off in the 19th over.

It ended a fabulous 94-run knock as he fell in the penultimate over of the chase which completely changed the game. He scored 10 fours and 3 sixes in his 60-ball knock. It was another KL Rahul special that went in vain as KXIP faltered and couldn’t finish the game.

#1 Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah was magnificent as he took 3/15 to take MI home

Jasprit Bumrah has had a quiet tournament. Despite having one of the best economy rates this season, he has mostly remained away from the spotlight.

However, he was brilliant and made everyone sit up and look at him in this game. He bowled the second over of the game and conceded just 1 run. It was surprising not to see him bowl another over in the powerplay but Rohit Sharma saved him for the latter half of the innings. He came back in the 12th over and conceded just 4.

But it was his brilliance at the death that turned the game in favour of MI. KXIP were going really well and were on course to chase down 187 but Bumrah bowled the 17th over and picked up the wickets of Aaron Finch and Marcus Stoinis to bring MI back in the game.

He then got the prized wicket of KL Rahul in the 19th and effectively closed the game out for MI. The MI premier pacer finished with figures of 3/15 and was the standout.

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