Mumbai: Kieron Pollard (83, 31b, 3×4, 10×6) did an Andre Russell as he spoiled KL Rahul’s (100 n o, 64b, 6×4, 6×6) century to help Mumbai Indians (MI) register a thrilling 3-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in an IPL game here, Wednesday.
Chasing a massive 198 runs to win, Mumbai began their innings cautiously with occasional boundaries before losing opener Siddhesh Lad (15) got out. Suryakumar Yadav (21) then joined South African Quinton de Kock (24) at the middle and was looking good until he became the victim of Sam Curran (1/54). De Kock too got out shortly as the home team were reduced to 62/3 in 8.5 overs.
Young Ishan Kishan and Pollard tried to build the momentum before the former ran himself out while trying for quick single.
Pollard was then joined by Hardik Pandya (19) and the duo added 41 runs before the latter’s wicket followed by Krunal Pandya’s wicket in the same over off Mohammed Shami (3/21) reduced MI to 140/6. However, Pollard’s powerhittings took MI home.
Earlier, Rahul smashed his maiden IPL hundred while Chris Gayle (63, 36b, 3×4, 7×6) struck a splendid knock to power KXIP to an imposing 197/4 against Mumbai Indians.
Gayle laid the platform for the big total with his opening partner Rahul, who carried his bat through to remain unconquered. The duo’s 116-run stand in 77 balls took MI by storm.
Gayle’s dismissal in the 13th over slowed down the innings but Rahul punished Hardik (2/57) by hitting three sixes and a four in the 19th, which yielded them 25 runs. Thirteen came off the final over to boost the total.
The flamboyant Gayle struck Australian pacer Jason Behrendorff (1/35) for three huge sixes and one four to cream off 23 runs to begin the punishing act.
The left-hander reached his 50 in 31 balls and the team’s 100 was raised in 10.2 overs. Gayle’s mayhem ended when he was caught at deep mid-wicket off Behrendorff to nip his opening partnership with Rahul.
The left-handed Gayle’s departure slowed down the run-rate with Hardik sending back David Miller and Karun Nair cheaply and Bumrah accounting for Sam Curran between the 15th and 18th overs. Rahul went on the offensive in the last two and in the process completed his century.
MI were without captain Rohit Sharma, who was rested as a precautionary measure due to muscle spasm in his right leg.
Brief scores: Kings XI Punjab 197/4 (KL Rahul 100 n o, Chris Gayle 63; Hardik Pandya 2/57) lost to Mumbai Indians 198/7 (Kieron Pollard 83; Mohammed Shami 3/21) by 3 wickets.
