Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah celebrate after a wicket against KXIP.
Defending champions Mumbai Indians pulled off a three-run victory over Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League on Wednesday and stayed in contention for a place in the playoffs. Lokesh Rahul's sixth half century in the IPL had nearly ended Mumbai's run in the tournament before fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah (3-15) turned the match on its head in his return spell and restricted Punjab to 183-5. (IPL 2018 FULL COVERAGE)
"I think Bumrah has come a long way in the past two years, worked really hard on his bowling," Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma said. "Coming out there and bowling at set batsmen who are trying to finish the job - he's doing it perfectly for us." (IPL 2018 POINTS TABLE)
Needing 38 off the last three overs, Punjab took 15 runs off Ben Cutting's 18th over as Rahul (94 off 60 balls) smashed three consecutive boundaries off the Australian seamer.
But Bumrah bowled a superb 19th over as he outfoxed Rahul with a slower delivery and the Punjab opener holed out at long-off after hitting 10 fours and three sixes.
Mitchell McClenaghan then kept his nerve in the last over and despite conceding 13 runs, the left-arm seamer ensured Mumbai climbed to No. 4 in the table with 12 points.
Punjab also have 12 points, but they slipped to No. 6 on an inferior net run-rate than both Mumbai and Rajasthan Royals.
Rohit said MI will miss their best death-overs bowler Lasith Malinga but they know that Bumrah has taken charge.
"He's worked really hard on his bowling. Not easy to come out and bowl the way he does. He's the one who's taken the responsibility. Always Malinga will be missed, but since he's gone, we've known Bumrah is the one to take the charge. He might not be up there in the wickets column, but what he does for us is very very important," Rohit said.
Mumbai will take on Delhi Daredevils in their last league match while Punjab will be up against Chennai Super Kings, which has already qualified for the playoffs along with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
