Krunal Pandya's late assault revive MI's campaign

Mumbai Indians revived their chances of playoffs with a thumping 6-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab on at Holker Cricket Stadium, Indore on Friday (May 4). Thanks to Suryakumar Yadav's half-century and Krunal Pandya's blitzing 31* off 12 balls. It was a must-win game for Mumbai Indians to kept their hopes alive of playoffs.

Mumbai Indians now have six points in 9 matches and new fifth on points table along with Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bangalore have played 8 games each.



, Chris Gayle and KL Rahul- Lethal combination

It was yet another day in the office for Chris Gayle as he notched up his 3rd fifty of this season along with a century. On the other Rahul continued his form. His six to Bumrah over cover, was shot of the innings.

However, Gayle took his time before he getting the batter of Hardik Pandya with a hat-trick of fours and then he launched a six out of the park off the bowling of Mitchell McClenaghan in last over of powerplay. The duo put on a 54-run stand before Rahul caught out in the deep mid wicket by JP Duminy off Mayank Markande. He made 24 off 20 balls (2 sixes & 1 four). It was fifth straight 50+ partnership between Gayle and Rahul, and became only second pair to score five successive 50+ stand in IPL after Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.



Another disappointment for Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh's poor form continued in this game also as he could score only 14 runs in his comeback match.

After being dropped in last match, he was promoted up to number 3 in batting order. He struggled to get runs and while batting on 2, survived a chance as Ishan Kishan dropped a tough one to his left off Pandya's bowling. However, Yuvraj tried to regain his lost touch as he hit Krunal to over long on for a six but got run-out after scored 14-ball 14.



Marcuis Stoinis' final assault on Hardik

Mumbai Indians' bowlers did well in middle overs by not giving them easy runs, courtesy some tight bowling from Bumrah. But Stoinis had some other plans. He took Hardik Pandya to the cleaners by hitting him 22 runs in last over of the innings. Remember, MI had given away 24 runs in last over against RCB and pay the price on sluggish wicket. KXIP were hoping the same but thankfully, it did not come back to bite MI like it did in the last game. Bumrah was the star with ball for MI. His spell 4-0-19-1 was responsible for restricted KXIP on 174.

A Watchful start from MI

Mumbai Indians did not repeat their mistakes which they did in last game against RCB by losing 3 wickets in powerplay. Their main focus in this game was kept wickets in hand. Despite few attacking shots from Suryakumar Yadav, MI were going good before Mujeeb Ur Rahman was introduced in last over of the powerplay and got Evin Lewis out on the 4th ball by edging to KL Rahul. It was Mujeeb's fourth wicket in powerplay- most by a spinner in this season.

Suryakumar Yadav gets his 3rd fifty plus score in this IPL

Suryakumar Yadav carried his good form into this game and notched his 3rd fifty plus score in this season. He reached to his fifty off just 34 balls. He got the support from Ishan Kishan (25 off 19 balls) and put on a 42-run stand for the second wickets. However, after scored 57 off 42 balls, Yadav was dismissed by Stoinis. Indians were still 95 runs needed off 50 balls before he departed.

Krunal Pandya- The Saviour

Hardik Pandya blasted 23 of 13 balls before he was clean bowled by Andrew Tye. But his dismissal brought Krunal on crease, whose 31* of 12 balls snatched the Victory from KXIP's hands. He took Stoinis in 18th over and blasted 14 runs off last three balls, followed by a six and four to Tye in 19th over. Skipper Rohit did enough well with a 14-ball 24. MI won by six-wickets with one over to spare.

Achievement for Rohit Sharma

This was the 17th time that Rohit has remained unbeaten in run-chase and all of them have ended on a winning note.

Suryakumar Yadav awarded Man Of The Match for his match-winning half-century.

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