Leading from the bench, the new T20 mantra
MUMBAI: Under normal circumstances, a showdown between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab would have meant a clash of Australian legends, Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchirst. But times have changed. The greats have retired from international cricket and no longer are as imposing as they were in their prime.
On Monday, both stalwarts were not in the playing 11 of their respective teams. While Ponting has sat out the last four matches, Gilchrist dropped himself, after a poor run of form that saw him aggregate just 94 runs in eight innings at 11.75.
While the Aussies made way for youngsters, Sachin Tendulkar is unperturbed. In the Indian T20 league, Tendulkar has showed glimpses of his best but has not been able to carry on. At the Wankhede Stadium too, Tendulkar got off to a bright start -- caressing two boundaries off Azhar Mahmood through cover and point. But he didn't last long, his reflexes too slow to bring the bat down in time to block an incoming delivery from Praveen Kumar.
Kings XI coach, Darren Lehmann, had hinted before the match that the pitch would aid swing and their bowlers exploited it, Parvinder Awana providing the standout performance, giving away just 13 runs in his first three overs.
That was until Rohit Sharma decided to carry the Mumbai innings on his shoulder. While the rest, including big-hitting Keiron Pollard, struggled, Sharma was a class act. The skipper built his innings steadily, keeping one end up before cutting loose in the final overs with lusty blows, to take Mumbai to a total of 174/3.
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Kings XI kept losing wickets, but David Hussey gave the initial push. After his departure, it was David Miller (56, 34b, 1x4, 5x6) who provided the much-needed charge as his gritty half century took the match into the final over.
Needing 17 off the last six balls, Kings XI saw a belligerent Praveen Kumar take the match to the last ball before the Kings XI finished four runs short of the target. Earlier, Sharma’s blistering 39-ball 79 (6x4, 6x6) was a contrast to his team- mates innings. His assault on Kings XI stand-in skipper in the last over provided the right impetus for Mumbai, smashing three sixes with 27 coming off it.