MI have been facing issues internally and externally, this season, IPL 2024. They have end up on losing side 4 times in 6 games they played before this one. They needed a victory against PBKS at Mullanpur to turn around their season in the second half. In a see-saw battle, they won the match in the last over of the second innings in a thrilling fashion.
Earlier, PBKS have again rested their captain Shikhar Dhawan and Sam Curran took the onus of captaincy. They won the toss and elected to field first. On a slow pitch, MI tried to make maximum use of the powerplay. Even though Ishan Kishan failed, Suryakumar Yadav took on PBKS bowlers. He made a splendid 78 with assistance from Rohit Sharma(36) and Tilak Varma(34).
Small cameos from Hardik Pandya and Tim David have also helped MI put up a difficult 192/7 in 20 overs. Experts believed 180 could be a winning score and they made above par. Harshal Patel(3/31) bowled very economical final over. In the chase, PBKS got a forgettable start as they got reduced to 14/4 in just 2.1 overs. They seemed to have no hope to recover from this step back.
Jasprit Bumrah and Gerald Coetzee made ball talk like no one else. Once again, Shashank Singh(41) and Ashutosh Sharma(61) turned out to be the best batters for the team. They took the onus upon themselves to take PBKS as closer as they can to the target. When the match swung completely towards PBKS with just 28 needed from 24 balls Bumrah and Coetzee again brought MI back into the game.
PBKS got bowled out for 183 in 19.1 overs. Jasprit Bumrah(3/21) and Gerald Coetzee(3/32) looked like they were bowling at a different level in this game. MI could breathe easy with a narrow 9 runs win because of them. Ashutosh Sharma with his valiant effort and Shashank Singh with his consistence have improved their chances to get an International call rather soon.
Mehreen Prizada looks so stunning that you can’t scroll ahead!