IPL PHOTOS: Simmons century powers Mumbai to victory

Lendl Simmons blasted the first century of IPL 7 to power Mumbai Indians to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Kings XI Punjab in the 48th match of the Indian Premier League, in Mohali, on Wednesday.

- Scorecard

The West Indies batsman was unbeaten on 100 from 61 balls as Mumbai cruised to 159 for three in 19 overs, after Kings XI Punjab posted 156 for eight, to keep their slim hopes of going through to the play-offs alive.

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Virender Sehwag was off the blocks in smashing fashion, hitting Praveen Kumar for a boundary and six off the first two deliveries in the first over of the innings.

He hit 17 from 11 balls before he was unfortunately run-out by the bowler after the ball hit the non-striker, Manan Vohra, in the third over.

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Young leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal helped Mumbai fight back with two wickets, in the 11th over.

Manan Vohra, who hit 36 from 34 balls, missed the slog sweep and was bowled before danger man Glenn Maxwell got a leading edge and was caught and bowled by Gopal, who finished with excellent figures of two for 32 in four overs.

Punjab lost three wickets for six runs in the space of 10 deliveries to find themselves in a spot of bother at 93 for three in 11 overs.

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Captain George Bailey, however, hit a quick 39 from 30 balls to steer Punjab to 156 for eight in their 20 overs.

Punjab were 90 for two in 10 overs but struggled to maintain the momentum, losing six wickets for 66 runs in the next 10 overs.

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West Indian Simmons went on the attack right from the word go, scoring with boundaries off pacer Sandeep Sharma in the first over of the innings.

He raced to his century off just 27 balls to take Mumbai to 62 for no loss after six overs.

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There was no stopping Simmons, who continued his assault on the Punjab bowlers in the middle overs.

He brought up the first century of the tournament from just 61 balls with a single on the leg side, hitting 14 fours and two sixes in the process.

Kieron Pollard ended the match in style, slamming Shivam Sharma for a six over long-on to take Mumbai to victory with an over to spare.