Friday, April 9, 2010

Punjab upset Mumbai

Captain Kumar Sangakkara weighed in with a fine 56 as Kings XI Punjab condemned Mumbai Indians to their second consecutive defeat in the IPL THREE at the PCA Stadium on. Punjab's victory not only restored their pride but opened up the IPL standings with Mumbai yet to confirm their semi-final spot.


Chasing a modest 155, Punjab hardly broke sweat to reach their target with four balls to spare and six wickets in hand. Sangakkara finished off what Mahela Jayawardene began, his manic 18-ball 31 getting the hosts off to a blazing start.

Jayawardene's dismissal didn't upset the Punjab momentum, as Adrian Barath and Sangakkara kept the scoreboard moving. The stylish Sri Lankan skipper departed after bringing up his half-century but Irfan Pathan and Reetinder Sodhi saw them home without further hiccups.


Earlier, Irfan Pathan and Piyush Chawla shared six wickets between them as Punjab turned in a splendid bowling performance to restrict Mumbai Indians to 154-9. Pathan picked up 3-29 while Chawla's leg-spin earned him 3-24.

Mumbai captain Sachin Tendulkar regained full fitness before winning the toss and electing to bat, but little went right for his team thereon as Pathan struck with the first ball of his over to castle Shikhar Dhawan, before Chawla's three-wicket burst derailed the Mumbai batting order that included Tendulkar's wicket for 29.

Besides Ambati Rayudu's entertaining 33 that came in just 18 balls, Mumbai struggled throughout their innings. Tendulkar's runs came nearly at a run-a-ball, while R Sathish was circumspect in a bid to revive the innings. A last-ditch effort from Jean-Paul Duminy, who scored a brisk 28-ball 35, took Mumbai to a respectable total.

Kings XI Punjab 158 for 4 (Sangakkara 56, Barath 33) beat Mumbai Indians 154 for 9 (Duminy 35, Chawla 3-24, Pathan 3-29) by six wickets

Player of the match : KC Sangakkara (Kings XI Punjab)


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