In the IPL match between Kings XI Punjab and Pune Warriors in Mohali, there was not one but two standout performances that helped the hosts register a thumping seven-wicket victory.
After the Warriors put up 185 runs on being asked to bat first, Kings XI Punjab were off to a horrible start. They lost skipper Adam Gilchrist in the first over itself after he slashed one straight to Robin Uthappa behind the stumps off Bhuvneshwar Kumar with just four runs on the board.
Ajantha Mendis made it 5 for 2, when he sent all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, who didn’t even trouble the scorers, back to the pavilion.
But Mandeep Singh took the attack to the opposition, forming an important partnership with Manan Vohra. It ensured they maintained the required run-rate.
Mandeep was particularly severe on spinners Ajantha Mendis and Rahul Sharma, slamming them for consecutive boundaries.
But, unfortunately, Vohra couldn't continue in the same vein, as he was castled by Yuvraj Singh for 22.
In came David Miller with the scorecard reading 58-3, and still a long way to go.
Miller and Manpreet mixed caution with aggression to ensure Kings XI did not lag in the required run rate.
In the process, both scored half-centuries, with the likes of David Hussey, Gurkeerat Singh, still waiting in the wings for a late flourish.
Pune gambled by bowling Ashok Dinda in the 19th over, which proved fruitful for Kings XI as Miller smashed two boundaries and sealed the game for the hosts by slamming two towering sixes off Luke Wright.
Photograph: BCCI
