Saha helps KXIP stay in contention
Wicketkeeper’s unbeaten 93 off 55 balls gives Punjab sevenrun win against tabletoppers Mumbai
In a game that swung from one side to the other, Kings XI Punjab came up trumps to record a thrilling seven-run win over Mumbai Indians on Thursday and keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2017 IPL playoffs alive. Mumbai Indians needed 17 off the final over bowled by Mohit Sharma, and 10 off the last four deliveries. The chances of the former champions reaching the target were good with Kieron Pollard, who had hit a six off the second ball, at the crease. However, Mohit Sharma once again showed his skill at bowling in the death overs as he kept his cool to keep the Trinidadian allrounder at bay.
Kings XI Punjab scored a 2017 IPL record 230/3 and restricted Mumbai Indians to 223 for six.
Kings XI Punjab moved to 14 points after the victory at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, just one point behind defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad, who play their last match against Gujarat Lions in Kanpur. Kings XI Punjab’s last match is on Sunday against Rising Pune Supergiant. Pollard (50 no) would have been disappointed with his effort as at one point, with the help of Hardik Pandya (30) and Karn Sharma (19), had put them on the verge of victory.
Chasing 231 set by Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians got off to a flying start but lost their way after the powerplay overs and then saw their top-four batsman return to the pavilion with the score at 121 in the 13th over.
Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma (5) for the fifth time this season fell to a leg-spinner when he holed out at long on off the bowling of Rahul Tewatia while off-colour Nitish Rana (12) fol- lowed him soon after.
SAHA’S HEROICS
Wriddhiman Saha mixed caution with aggression to score an unbeaten 53-ball 93 and help Kings XI Punjab post the highest score of 2017 IPL. Kings XI Punjab scored 230 to overtake the 214 scored by Delhi Daredevils while chasing against Gujarat Lions earlier in the month.
The wicketkeeper-batman was the glue the kept the Kings XI Punjab innings together. He shared 50-plus partnerships with Martin Guptill (36), Glenn Maxwell (47) and Shaun Marsh (25) to help Kings XI Punjab post a mammoth total. He stayed at the wicket till the last ball, hitting 11 boundaries and three sixes.