Another Suryakumar special helps MI rack it up

The right-hander, though not at his most destructive best, conjures up some innovative shot-making against a Punjab attack that comes up short on discipline; Rohit and Tilak do their bit

uryakumar Yadav continued to play Russian roulette in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), notching up a 53-ball 78 (7x4, 3x6) after scores of 0, 52, 0 to power Mumbai Indians to a commanding 192 for seven against Punjab Kings at the at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium here on Thursday.

The right-hander, though not at his most destructive, was still inventive with his shot-making, employing his trademark whip o‘ the waist over ’ne-leg for two sixes against Kagiso Rabada, who was a pale shadow of his disciplined self.

STaking on Rabada

The South African’s last over went for 18 runs, as Suryakumar laid into Punjab’s best pacer this season with a four and a six o‘ consecutive balls after successfully overturning a legbefore decision o‘ the previous delivery.

With Mumbai going on the rampage in the late-overs, it was Punjab’s most pro•igate fast-bowler this year (Harshal Patel) who put the skids on the opposition by conceding just three runs in the ’nal over and keeping it below the 200-run mark.

The three preceding overs were plundered for 37 runs as the bowlers, particularly stand-in skipper Sam Curran, erred on the shorter side and allowed Tilak Varma and Tim David to free their arms.

Harshal, who was too predictable before tonight, mixed the yorkers and bouncers judiciously with his changes of pace to keep the batters guessing.

Not at their best

Earlier, after inserting Mumbai, Punjab’s pacers weren’t at their disciplined best in the PowerPlay.

Arshdeep Singh o‘ered too much room outside o‘ stump and Curran’s slower balls lacked accuracy.

The only wicket in the ’rst six overs came when Ishan Kishan slashed a rank short and wide delivery from Rabada into the hands of deep third, leaving both batter and bowler in splits.

Going into a shell

Crowd favourite Rohit Sharma, who was adjudged lbw on 17 only for DRS to overturn it, ensured

MI had a good start but went into a shell after the ’eld restrictions ended.

Liam Livingstone and Harpreet Brar conceding only 37 runs in ’ve overs of spin and played their part in keeping a power-packed Mumbai below 200.

Kings were 100 for six in 11 overs with Shashank (38) and Ashutosh (21) batting. Curran (6), Prabhsimran (0), Rossouw (1), Livingstone (1), Harpreet Bhatia (13) and Jitesh (9) were out

R.V. MOORTHY Hitting out: After Suryakumar, right, had given the Punjab attack the treatment, Tilak took over to boost the visitors’ total.