IPL 2020, Match 13: Rohit Sharma's class, Pollard-Pandya blitz set up big Mumbai Indians win against KXIP
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Image Source : IPLT20.comReigning champions Mumbai Indians (MI) rode a spirited show by their men, led by captain Rohit Sharma, as they gunned down Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) by 48 runs in the 13th match of the IPL at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
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Mumbai skipper's valiant 45-ball 70, followed by late fireworks by Kieron Pollard (47 not out) and Hardik Pandya (30), propelled Mumbai Indians to 191/4 in the allotted 20 overs.
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Sheldon Cottrell drew the first blood for KXIP as he issued marching orders to de Kock in the very first over while Yadav was run out by Shami, courtesy a direct hit from short fine leg. Ishan Kishan failed to replicate the show and fell for 28 runs. Kishan was involved in a 62-run partnership with skipper Rohit.
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Despite the regular blows, Rohit kept the fight on and also notched-up his half-century. In the process, he also became the third Indian to cross the 5,000 run-mark in IPL.
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Rohit's fall left Mumbai at 124/4 in 16.1 overs, and then Hardik and Pollard's cameo lifted their side to a respectable total. The duo gathered 67 runs off the final 23 balls which included some massive hits into the stands.
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KL Rahul (17) and Mayank Agarwal (25) took the side to 37 runs in the initial four overs. Jasprit Bumrah broke the partnership as he dismantled Mayank's wickets in the fifth over. Krunal Pandya further jolted KXIP after sending back Karun Nair for a duck with the scorecard reading 39/2.
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Despite tumbling wickets, Pooran showed resistance with the bat and tried to anchor KXIP innings as he shared a 41-run partnership with Glenn Maxwell (11) which helped their side cross the three-digit mark.
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However, the joy didn't last long for them James Pattinson got rid of a dangerous looking Pooran in the 14th over as KXIP were reduced to 101/4. Pooran's innings contained three fours and two sixes.
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Just when KXIP added another six runs to their total, Chahar struck again, this time accounting for the wicket of Maxwell. James Neesham (7) and Sarfaraz Khan (7) were back in the hut, courtesy Bumrah and Pattinson respectively, while Trent Boult, too, joined the party as he accounted for the wicket of Ravi Bishnoi (1) in the 19th over with KXIP score being 124/8.
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With this win, MI have gone to the top of the eight-team table with four points from two wins -- and have a better run rate than four other teams who all also have four points each. KXIP have won a solitary match and have two points.