IPl 9 Match 21 Review: Parthiv Patel special helps MI thump KXIP

Mumbai Indians earned crucial points after they beat sloppy KXIP by 25 runs in a dominating display of cricket at the IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali.

MI, after being put into bat, posted a formidable 189/6 riding on the batting exploits of Parthiv Patel (81 from 58 balls) and Ambati Rayudu (65 from 37 balls). KXIP, in reply, could cope with the MI quicks efficiently and went down fighting.

The chase did not take in a positive match as KXIP lost both their openers before powerplay. Vijay, who survived a chance off Southee in the first over, could not capitalise, losing his wicket to him in his following over. Vohra, too, perished immediately after playing a poor shot.

But, Shaun Marsh (45 from 34 balls) continued his fine form and eased the pressure to some extent. He found support in Glen Maxwell (56 from 39 balls), who struck form with his appreciable half-century. Both weaved an 89 run stand for the 3rd wicket and kept the hopes of a win alive for the Punjab side.

Unfortunately, both the batsmen lost their wickets at crucial moments. Marsh was undone by Tim Southee in the 15th over while Jasprit Bumrah put MI in the drivers seat with the wicket of Glenn Maxwell.

The game slipped into MI’s favor completely after both departed. The tail-enders could not do any miracle as Mitchell McClenaghan and Bumrah tightened the grip over the match knocking over the stumps everywhere in the death overs.

Eventually, it became a task too daunting for KXIP as their innings folded for 164/7 at the end of 20 overs.

Earlier in the evening, it was a horrible start for MI after Rohit Sharma was dismissed off the second ball in the first over. Skipper looked in great touch after having hit back to back fifties but today was not his day as Sandeep Sharma managed to get a faint edge from the his bat.

But, the early setback did not have any great impact on MI as Parthiv Patel and Ambati Rayudu went on to pile on a huge 137 run stand for the 2nd wicket. The pair batted scratchily at the start but later went on to dominate the lackluster KXIP bowling attack. After taking MI to 77 runs at the half-way stage, the pair began to flourish with their range of strokes and the run-rate skyrocketed in a matter of few overs.

Their onslaught paved way for them to register this year’s fourth highest partnership in T20s. Unfortunately, the duo could carry on only till the 15th over as Rayudu perished after making 65 runs off 37 balls. Parthiv, however, went one with the flow and registered his highest IPL score and his first half-century this season, hitting 81 off 51 balls studded with ten fours and two sixes.

The death overs saw a flurry of wicket which averted MI from going past the 200 run mark which, at one stage, looked possible when Parthiv and Rayudu were batting. Buttler (13 ball 21 runs) was made to depart in the 18th over by Sandeep Sharma after playing a short cameo. Parthiv also departed in penultimate over. Mohit Sharma yet again bowled a superb last over where he gave away only 4 runs while picking up the wickets of Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya.

Brief Scores:

Mumbai Indians: 189/6 in 20 overs (Parthiv Patel 81; Mohit Sharma 3/38)

Kings XI Punjab: 164/7 in 20 overs (Glenn Maxwell; Jasprit Bumrah 3/26)

Man of the Match: Parthiv Patel

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