Photographs: BCCI
Mumbai Indians finally ended their losing run in the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League following a five-wicket victory against Kings XI Punjab in Mumbai, on Saturday.
Electing to bat first, Punjab posted a formidable 168 for five in their 20 overs with Wriddhiman Saha top scoring with 59 from 47 balls.
- Scorecard
In reply, late hitting from Corey Anderson (35 from 25 balls) and Kieron Pollard (28 not out from 12 balls) carried Mumbai home with five deliveries to spare for their first victory in the tournament.
Punjab off to a horror start
Image: Glenn MaxwellPhotographs: BCCI
Punjab were off to a horror start, losing a couple of early wickets.
Virender Sehwag (1) was run out in the third over by a direct hit from Rohit Sharma in the covers.
Cheteshwar Pujara, hit four boundaries to score 19 from 18 balls, before he was caught behind off Corey Anderson.
Glenn Maxwell led Punjab's fightback with his trademark positive batting. He hit a quickfire 45 from 27 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes, putting on 69 runs for the third wicket with Wriddhiman Saha.
Harbhajan dismisses Maxwell
Image: Harbhajan Singh celebrates after getting the wicket of Glenn MaxwellPhotographs: BCCI
Harbhajan checked Punjab's progress with the key wicket of the in-form Maxwell.
Maxwell hit the off-spinner for a six over long-off but perished in the same over attempting another huge hit and was caught at long-off. He also claimed the wicket of George Bailey to finish with two for 34 in four overs.
Saha's fifty steers Punjab to 168
Image: Wriddhiman SahaPhotographs: BCCI
Wriddhiman Saha blossomed after a slow start to hit a fine half-century that lifted Kings XI Punjab to a competitive 168 for five in their 20 overs.
Saha slammed 59 not out from 47 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes as Punjab scored 42 runs in the last five overs.
Sandeep strikes early
Image: Sandeep Sharma appeals successfully for the wicket of Ambati RayuduPhotographs: BCCI
Young pacer Sandeep Sharma rocked Mumbai early with two wickets in his first two overs.
Ben Dunk was caught behind in the first over for five before Ambati Rayudu was trapped leg before wicket for eight as Mumbai slipped to 23 for two in the third over.
Anderson, Rohit rally Mumbai
Image: Rohit Sharma (left) with Corey AndersonPhotographs: BCCI
CM Gautam, promoted as the opener, helped Mumbai bounce back with a quick knock of 33 from 29 balls before he was trapped leg before wicket by Rishi Dhawan.
Rohit Sharma and Corey Anderson then steered Mumbai to safety with a 53-run partnership for the fourth wicket before the former was caught by Saha off Lakshmipathy Balaji for 39.
Anderson stroked 35 from 25 balls and became Dhawan's second wicket of the innings when he was caught at long-off.
Pollard, Tare help Mumbai end losing run
Image: Kieron Pollard (left) celebrates hitting the winning runs with Aditya TarePhotographs: BCCI
New batsman Aditya Tare ensured Mumbai kept up with the asking rate as he smashed Balaji for a four and a six over in the 18th over.
Pollard then took the attack to Mitchell Johnson as he slammed the Australian left-arm pacer for 20 runs in the next over. He finished off things in style as he smashed Sandeep for a huge six over long-off as Mumbai finally ended their losing run in IPL 7, in front of their home fans at the Wankhede stadium.
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