Indian Premier League

IPL: Kings XI Punjab beat Mumbai Indians

Kings XI Punjab held on their nerves to win a thrilling match against Mumbai Indians at Durban. Batting first, the Kings XI, anchored by Kumar Sangakkara’s unbeaten 45, reached 119 for eight before restricting the Mumbai Indians to 116 for seven.

Both sides lost wickets at regular intervals, with spin playing a key role throughout the match. Off-spinners Harbhajan Singh and JP Duminy picked up one wicket, as did left-armer Sanath Jayasuriya although the pick of the bowlers was Lasith Malinga who bowled Wilkin Mota and Piyush Chawla with searing yorkers to finish with two for 12. Sangakkara held the innings together with 45 in 44 balls, with just two fours and one six, but this was not a match where big hiting was particularly prevalent as at times, batsmen were trying everything just to survive.

The Mumbai Indians were rocked when Sanath Jayasuriya (0) and Sachin Tendulkar (1) departed early, as did Shikhar Dhawan, who was trapped in front by Yusuf Abdulla for three. The left-arm seamer returned to bowl the final over when Mumbai needed 12 to win and had JP Duminy caught on the boundary by substitute Taruwar Kohli for a beautifully made 59 to effectively end the Mumbai Indians’ charge. Duminy had run out of recognised batsmen once Dwayne Bravo, Abhishek Nayar (both making 15) and Harbhajan Singh (6) were dismissed. His 59 came from 63 balls with four boundaries, leaving Saurabh Tiwary unbeaten on six.

Tags: IPL, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians