Hardik Pandya finishes off game against Punjab Kings with a six to get IPL campaign back on track; defending champions hammer 40 runs in last three overs to end three-match losing streak
Hardik Pandya hammers one during his match-winning 30-ball 40 not out. Pics/BCCI; IPL
Some magnificent power-hitting from Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya saw Mumbai Indians end their three-match losing streak, beating Punjab Kings by six wickets at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium here on Tuesday.
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Needing 40 to win off the last four overs, Pandya hammered an unbeaten 30-ball 40 (4x4, 2x6) while Pollard remained not out with a seven-ball 15 (1x4, 1x6) to finish the game with an over to spare. Saurabh Tiwary top-scored for MI with 45.
Earlier, Jasprit Bumrah and Pollard snapped two wickets each as MI produced a disciplined bowling performance to restrict Punjab to a below-par 135 for six.
MI’s Saurabh Tiwary during his top score of 45 against Punjab Kings in Abu Dhabi yesterday
Sent in to bat, Aiden Markram (42 off 29) was the most successful batter for Punjab as he shared a 61-run partnership with Deepak Hooda (28) to lift their score after they were reduced to 48 for 4 in 7.3 overs. However, once the South African was back in the hut in the 16th over, Punjab couldn’t score a single boundary, managing a meagre 23 runs in the last four overs.
Pollard (2-8) and Bumrah (2-24) were the pick of the bowlers but they were supported well by Krunal Pandya (1-24), Rahul Chahar (1-27) and Nathan Coulter-Nile (0-19).
Opening the innings, KL Rahul (21) looked in good touch as he played a perfect cover drive against Trent Boult before showing the full face of the bat to Bumrah for an exquisite off drive. But Bumrah had the last laugh after dismissing the Punjab skipper for 21.
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