Amla’s ton goes in vain as Mumbai Indians win at ease
INDORE: Hashim Amla’s maiden century in the Indian Premier League went in vain as Mumbai Indians continued their brilliant run in the competition with a commanding eight-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab in Indore on Thursday.
Amla produced a brilliant performance to stay unbeaten on 104 off 60 balls, but explosive fifties by Jos Buttler and Nitish Rana were enough for the visitors to complete a record fifth consecutive run-chase in this year’s IPL.
Chasing a target of 199, Mumbai Indians had a near-perfect start to their run chase as Buttler and Parthiv Patel made merry against the Kings XI Punjab bowlers. The pair brought up 50-run partnership in just 23 balls and both of them looked extremely comfortable against the pacers.
The misery went on for the hosts as the duo continued to play their shots freely and Mumbai Indians were 68/0 at the end of the fifth over.
However, the breakthrough finally came for Kings XI Punjab when Parthiv miscued his shot and was caught by Glenn Maxwell at mid-on for 37 but that did not stop the visitors from posting their best-ever total in powerplays.
The new batsman-Nitish Rana-started attacking the bowlers along with Buttler and the 100 came up in just 7.5 overs. Rana, who has been the most successful batsman for Mumbai Indians this year, scored a huge six off Marcus Stoinis and then slammed Axar Patel for another maximum in the next over. Buttler was also not far behind as he kept the scorecard ticking and reached his maiden IPL fifty in just 24 balls.
It looked almost too easy for the duo as Rana and Buttler kept hitting the bowlers for sixes and the target of 199 looked like child’s play for the two-time IPL champions.
Rana took a special liking to the Kings XI Punjab spinners as he scored two sixes off Axel Patel and then went on to slam Swapnil Singh for two more over long-on.
The Kings XI Punjab bowlers looked completely lost as Buttler continued his attack with two sixes off Sandeep Sharma and although he was finally dismissed for 77, the match was already over for the hosts.
Rana and Hardik Pandya finished the match for the visitors with Rana scoring his third fifty of this year as he reached in the milestone in 29 balls with seven huge sixes to his name.
Batting first, Hashim Amla scored a brilliant century to guide Kings XI Punjab to a competitive total of 198/4. The Proteas opener looked in sublime form as he slammed eight fours and six sixes en route to his maiden IPL hundred.