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Harbhajan Singh single-handedly took Mumbai Indians to striking distance of a dramatic victory with a stunning 24-ball 64 before his side lost their IPL cricket match against Kings XI Punjab by 18 runs in an exciting contest in Mumbai on Sunday.
Harbhajan slams 24-ball 64 but Mumbai lose to Punjab
The out of favour India player, Harbhajan came out in the 14th over when his side were down 59 for six and the game as good as gone for Mumbai but he turned the match on its head after what appeared to be a lopsided contest at one stage.
This was Mumbai's second defeat after losing their lung-opener to hosts and defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders on April 8.
Harbhajan, who hit five fours and six sixes in his sensational knock, was out in the penultimate ball and MI ended at 159 for seven with Jagadeesha Suchith remaining not out on 34 from 21 deliveries. Suchith and Harbhajan stitched exactly 100 runs for the seventh wicket from just 37 balls in a breathtaking display of strokeplay though MI ended as the losing side.
Chasing the stiff target set by their opponents, MI began on a very poor note by losing skipper Rohit for a second ball duck, playing across and trapped in front by seamer Sandeep Sharma.
Aditya Tare was the second to go, needlessly charging at Anureet Singh.
Aaron Finch, the Australian World Cup-winning opener, was the next to go when he was clean bowled by compatriot Mitchell Johnson's second ball that he played all over.
Johnson, used in one-over spells by his Australian compatriot and Kings XI captain George Bailey, had Ambati Rayudu caught behind slashing to leave the hosts in deeper mire at 46 for 5.
And then Axar Patel had Corey Anderson stumped by Wriddhiman Saha to leave MI tottering at 24 for 4 and the game was as good as over as a contest.
And when last big hope Kieron Pollard (20) was caught at long on, after striking a huge six in the previous over, off Axar Patel, MI were in dire straits before Harbhajan played a stunning innings to race to his fifty in just 19 balls, with the help of five sixes and four fours.
Johnson ended up with an impressive haul of 2 for 23. He was well supported by Axar Patel (2 for 30) while Sandeep Sharma (1 for 12) and Anureet Singyh (2 for 41) were the other wicket takers.
Earlier, Kings XI rattled up a combative total of 177 for five, thanks mainly to a brilliant unbeaten 61 from 32 balls by skipper George Bailey and useful contributions from openers Murali Vijay (35), Virender Sehwag (36) and David Miller (24) after they were put in to bat.
It was also MI's first defeat against Kings XI at home after two wins in the last two seasons and eighth defeat overall in 15 games in the tournament's history.
For Kings XI, this was their first win in the tournament after losing their opening match by 26 runs against Rajasthan Royals in Pune on April 10.