Simmons, Parthiv take MI to 172/3 against KXIP

Lendl Simmons and Parthiv Patel put on a 111-run opening stand

Mohali, May 3 (IANS) Opening batsmen Lendl Simmons (71 in 56 balls) and Parthiv Patel (59 in 36 balls) helped Mumbai Indians post a challenging total of 172/3 in 20 overs against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter here on Sunday.

After Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat, the two openers rose to the task and gave their team a perfect start with a 111-run stand.

Simmons and Parthiv played some delightful shots all around the carpet to set the ball rolling for the visitors at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium.

Parthiv showed his intent in the fifth over bowled by surprising first-change bowler Mitchell Johnson. The Indian collected 17 runs from the Australian left-arm seamer's first over.

Mumbai reached 51 in the first six overs of powerplay and the right-left combination duo continued to attack the Punjab bowlers.

As a result of their fireworks, Mumbai reached 100 in the fourth delivery of the 11th over. Especially, Parthiv batted with more aggression, hitting five fours and three sixes.

Leg-spinner Karanveer Singh (1/30) put the brakes on the rampaging Mumbai innings as Parthiv offered a catch to Murali Vijay.

At 111/1, skipper Mumbai joined Simmons in the middle and played a perfect foil to the West Indian. Rohit scored 26 in 20 deliveries before perishing against Johnson, who conceded 41 runs in his quota of four overs.

After putting his team in command, Simmons lost his wicket to right-arm medium pacer Anureet Singh. He hit nine fours and a six.

Brief scores: Mumbai Indians 172/3 in 20 overs (Lendl Simmons 71, Parthiv Patel 59; Karanveer Singh 1/30, Anureet Singh 1/30) against Kings XI Punjab.