Indian Premier League

IPL: Mumbai Indians beat Kings XI Punjab

The Mumbai Indians juggled their batting order once again and came up with a winner as a Dwayne Bravo half-century saw them ease to an eight-wicket win over the Kings XI Punjab at Centurion.

However, they were only chasing 120 after the Kings XI made just 119 for nine from their 20 overs and Bravo’s blast unbeaten of 70 in 59 balls ensured that the Indians raced to victory in the 17th over. Sunny Sohal top scored for the Punjab side with 43 in just 23 balls but wickets tumbled throughout their innings, JP Duminy returning two for 15 in four overs and Lasith Malinga, Dhawal Kulkarni, Harbhajan Singh and Ajinkya Rahane all taking a wicket apiece.

Simon Katich and Irfan Pathan failed to score, Kumar Sangakkara made just eight and captain Yuvraj Singh 12 but despite having Karan Goel (20 not out) at number eight, Brett Lee (8) at number nine and Piyush Chawla (0) at number nine, they were helpless against a fine bowling display.

Bravo lost opening partner Sanath Jayasuriya (4) and number three Rahane (1) but he was already into his stride, so much that the score was 40 for two when Rahane fell, trapped in front by leg-spinner Chawla. Bravo formed an unbeaten third-wicket partnership worth 82 with captain Sachin Tendulkar, who contributed 41 not out in 29 balls with four fours and one six. Bravo, not deemed fit enough to take part in the West Indies’ Test series in England, thumped seven fours and three sixes.

Mumbai Indians now have 11 points from 11 games and Kings XI Punjab have 10 points from 11 games.

Tags: IPL, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians