Opener Surya Kumar Yadav cracked a brilliant half-century (57 off 42) to keep Mumbai Indians playoff hopes alive. The three-time IPL champions thumped high-flying Kings XI Punjab by 6 wickets at the Holkar stadium in Indore.


Chasing a modest 176, Mumbai Indians lost Evin Lewis quite early in the innings but Yadav did not let the momentum flutter. The 27-year-old sent the ball soaring over the ropes thrice and hit the fence six times in his whirlwind innings.


However, the holders stumbled during their chase after the dismissal of Surya Kumar Yadav and wicketkeeper-batsman in quick succession, which also soared up the required run rate.


Placed at the bottom of the table, Mumbai responded to the grim situation in the best possible manner. Hardik Pandya smashed a quickfire 13-ball 23 to bring them back in the game.


But, it was the partnership between Rohit Sharma and Krunal Pandya that sealed the victory for Mumbai Indians. The duo smashed 55 runs for the fifth and achieved the target with 6 balls to spare.


Krunal hit Stoinis for three boundaries and a six in the 18th over to completely change the complexion of the match. 






Mujeeb ur Rehman scalped two for losing side.


Earlier, Marcus Stoinis’ late exploits had powered King XI Punjab to a respectable 174/6 against the disciplined Mumbai Indians bowling line-up.


Put in to bat first, Chris Gayle continued his explosive run in the IPL with a 50 off 40 balls. It was his fourth fifty in five innings in the 11th edition of the cricketing extravaganza.


The West Indian smashed a 54-run stand with KL Rahul but after the latter’s departure, Kings XI Punjab lost their way in the middle after the top order failed to perform.


Yuvraj Singh, who was promoted to No.3 position, disappointed the home supporters by scoring just 14 off 14 deliveries.


If it was not for Marcus Stoinis, KXIP would have ended up way short of the expected mark. His unbeaten 15-ball 29 ensured his team reached close to 180. The 22-run last over from Pandya made all the difference with Stoinis smashing him for two sixes and as many fours.


Mumbai Indians innings


Marcus Stoinis’ late exploits powered King XI Punjab to a respectable 174/6 against the disciplined Mumbai Indians bowling line-up.


Put in to bat first, Chris Gayle continued his explosive run in the IPL with a 50 off 40 balls. It was his fourth fifty in five innings in the 11th edition of the cricketing extravaganza.


The West Indian smashed a 54-run stand with KL Rahul but after the latter’s departure, Kings XI Punjab lost their way in the middle after the top order failed to perform.


Yuvraj Singh, who was promoted to No.3 position, disappointed the home supporters by scoring just 14 off 14 deliveries.


If it was not for Marcus Stoinis, KXIP would have ended up way short of the expected mark. His unbeaten 15-ball 29 ensured his team reached close to 180. The 22-run last over from Pandya made all the difference with Stoinis smashing him for two sixes and as many fours


Toss


Mumbai Indians have won the toss and opted to field first against KXIP at the Holkar stadium in Indore


MI playing XI: Evin Lewis, Rohit Sharma (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, JP Duminy, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Ben Cutting, Mitchell McClenaghan, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah.


Kings XI Punjab playing XI:  Lokesh Rahul(w), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Yuvraj Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Ravichandran Ashwin(c), Axar Patel, Andrew Tye, Ankit Rajpoot, Mujeeb Ur Rahman


Preview


Defending champions Mumbai Indians will be aiming to sort their 'opening woes' in both departments of the game when they take on a rejuvenated Kings XI Punjab in a must-win IPL encounter, here on Friday.


The three-time IPL champions are staring at an inglorious exit having brought up the rear so far, with only two wins in their kitty from eight games.


On the other hand, Kings XI Punjab, under Ravichandran Ashwin's leadership, have won five out of their seven games, slowly but surely inching towards the Play-Offs.


A week off has certainly helped the likes of Chris Gayle and KL Rahul recharge their batteries and they will be aiming to come out all guns blazing at their adopted home.


Kings XI Punjab's season has been about collective performance. They don't have the 'Orange Cap' or 'Purple Cap' holders in their ranks but everyone has chipped in with impactful performances as and when required.


'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle (252 runs) came into the tournament with a bruised ego and battered the bowlers into submission with two half centuries and a hundred. Rahul (268 runs) also showed why he is rated so highly with the fastest ever 50 in IPL.


Afghanistan's rookie mystery spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman, with an economy rate of 6.51 and seven wickets, has been nurtured well by skipper Ashwin, who has marshalled his resources well.


The pace duo of Ankit Rajpoot (7 wickets at 6.27) and Andrew Tye (9 wickets at 7.78) have also done the job for the Preity Zinta co-owned outfit.


For Mumbai, the primary reason for six defeats in eight matches has been poor start by openers along with new ball bowlers leaking too many runs in Powerplay overs.


While Suryakumar Yadav, with 283 runs from eight games, has performed decently after being promoted up the order, Caribbean left-hander Evin Lewis (194 in 7 games) has not been able to replicate his form in international matches.


Skipper Rohit Sharma (196 in 8 matches) has shuffled his own batting position but his inconsistency has also hurt Mumbai Indians big time.


The opening stands in eight games has so far yielded: 7, 11, 102, 0, 1, 12, 69, 5.


A look at the statistics will reveal that they have got solid foundation in only two games of which they won the match against CSK.


The other problem that has plagued Mumbai has been the performance of their two all-rounders -- Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya.


With Pollard not fit enough to bowl, his contribution of 76 runs in 6 innings has been an issue. Hardik has also blown hot 'n' cold during the season with 111 runs, including a toiling 50 in the last game along with 11 wickets.


Left-arm pacers Mustafizur Rahaman (7 wickets) and Mitchell McLenaghan (9 wickets) have both been expensive at the start and back-end of the opposition innings with unimpressive economy rates of 8.34 and 8.66 respectively.


That has put immense pressure on Jasprit Bumrah (9 wickets at an economy rate of 7) and Hardik (11 eickets at 8.74).


The only silver lining for the Mumbai Indians this season has been the emergence of young leg-spinner Mayank Markande (11 wickets) . The teenager has shown admirable temperament against the biggest names.


However it will depend on the big guns as to whether IPL's most successful franchise makes it to the Play-Offs this time.


Squads:


Kings XI Punjab: Ravichandran Ashwin (captain), Chris Gayle, Aaron Finch, KL Rahul (wk), Karun Nair, Mohit Sharma, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Barinder Sran, David Miller, Andrew Tye, Ankit Rajpoot, Axar Patel, Akshdeep Nath, Mayank Agarwal, Manoj Tiwary, Yuvraj Singh, Manzoor Dar Pandav, Pardeep Sahu, Ben Dwarshuis, Marcus Stoinis, Mayank Dagar.


Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (captain), Suryakumar Yadav, Evin Lewis, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Mayank Markande, Mitchell McLenaghan, Mustafizur Rahaman, Jasprit Bumrah, Akila Dananjaya, Ben Cutting, JP Duminy, Rahul Chahar, Sharad Lumba, Adam Milne, Siddhesh Lad, Md Nidheesh, Mohsin Khan, Anukul Roy, Pradeep Sangwan, Tajinder Singh, Aditya Tare (wk), Saurabh Tiwary.