IPL 2023: Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings, Match 31 - Talking Points and Who Said What?

The 31st clash of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2023 saw another closely fought contest as Punjab Kings managed to get past the home side Mumbai Indians in a thrilling encounter at the Wankhede Stadium. With this win, Punjab climbed up to the fifth spot on the points table, whereas MI remained in the seventh place.

The coin fell in Mumbai's favour as the home team brought the visitors to bat first - a decision that was thought to yield dividends for the considerable part of the first innings. However, it was in the slog overs that the duo of Harpreet Singh Bhatia and Sam Curran wreaked havoc on the MI bowlers to take the visitors past the 200-run mark. Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma too fired down the order as Punjab posted a total of 214/8 on the board. In reply, Mumbai could only manage to score 201 as Arshdeep Singh's heroics sealed the fourth win for Punjab in IPL 2023.

Here are the Talking Points from the MI vs PBKS clash-

Harpreet Singh Bhatia-Sam Curran's carnage ensured PBKS' phoenix rise

After an average show by the top order, stand-in skipper Sam Curran and Harpreet Bhatia started their partnership in the middle of the tenth over, after the fall of Atharva Taide's wicket. While the duo initially set on a slow and steady journey, it was in the slog overs that they pressed the throttle down to give effect to one of the most destructive carnages of the season. This can be gauged from the fact that nearly 70 runs were added in just three overs, between the 17th and the 19th overs, which, however, also included the fiery innings of Jitesh Sharma. Also, Arjun Tendulkar conceded 31 runs in the 16th over, which resulted as MI's second-most expensive over in the tournament's history.

Bhatia and Curran added 92 runs in the middle for the fifth wicket in just 50 balls. While Bhatia was the first of the two to depart for 41, Curran added 55 runs off 29 balls before falling prey to Jofra Archer. Curran's innings included five fours and four maximums.

Suryakumar Yadav's blistering knock breathed soul into Mumbai's innings

Suryakumar Yadav, who had regained his form against Kolkata Knight Riders, once again rose up to the occasion as the 32-year-old played a scintillating knock of 57 runs in just 26 balls to drive the home team closer to the target. He slammed seven fours and three sixes to put up the runs at a strike rate of 219.23. Arshdeep Singh terminated the home team's fastest innings as he got rid of Yadav in the 18th over, courtesy of a catching effort by Atharva Taide.

Arshdeep Singh's magical spell helps Punjab clinch their fourth victory

While it was the combined efforts of Harpreet, Curran and Jitesh in the batting unit that helped PBKS own the first innings, it was Arshdeep Singh in the bowling department who, almost single-handedly, sealed the fate for the visitors. While the two other bowlers who completed their quota of four overs, Rahul Chahar and Nathan Ellis, went for economies of 10.50 and 11.00 respectively, Arshdeep gave away only 29 runs to complete his spell with an economy of just 7.25. 

Not only that, he also claimed four of Mumbai's total six wickets to put the home side on the backfoot. Apart from dismissing the dangermen Ishan Kishan and Yadav, Arshdeep took Tilak Varma and Nehal Wadhera on the trot in the final over to seal the match in Punjab's favour. He gave only two runs in the final over where he was required to defend 16 runs.

Losing captain, Rohit Sharma said

(On their death bowling) Yes, a little disappointment there, we made some errors in the field which can happen, not gonna look too much into that. Just keep our heads high, we have won three and lost three, pretty even-stevens at the moment. There is a lot of time left in the tournament. We can't look down and start worrying about things. Yes, we didn't come out on top today. We made some errors but something to go back and look into. (On Green and SKY) Quite happy with the way those two guys batted today and they kept us in the game till the end. Credit to Arshdeep the way he bowled in the last couple of overs.

Winning captain and Player of the Match, Sam Curran said

Pretty special. What an amazing ground. The environment is incredible here. It (the win) is a massive positive for us. I don't think I should be getting the Man of the Match considering how the boys closed the game out there. Without Shikhar, we know we had to take that responsibility. Our group is coming together really well. Shikhar will be fit soon. We won 4 out of the 7 games and it is not a bad place to be. Have got great support from the management and the local guys. The boys are enjoying themselves, and it is still a long way to go and the important thing is enjoy the game and don't put too much pressure on ourselves.