Monday, April 13, 2015

Harbhajan's efforts in vain as Kings XI Punjab overcome MI

MI continued their tradition of being slow starters, losing at home to Kings XI Punjab who got off the mark in IPL 8. Harbhajan Singh made it a contest out of nowhere after MI suffered yet another batting collapse at the top, but in the end it was a bit too many to chase down. George Bailey was the hero for Punjab with a 32 ball 61.
             
              Put into bat by MI skipper Rohit Sharma, Sehwag and Vijay made a quick for the Kings as they raced away to 57/0 in 6 overs. Sehwag in particular was impressive as he played effortlessly like yesteryear. Bhajji broke the partnership when he dismissed Sehwag and IPL debutant J Suchith got rid of danger man Glenn  Maxwell to pull things back for Mumbai. Vijay also followed not much later and it was a 46 run stand between Miller and Bailey that got things back on track for Punjab. Bailey stayed till the end, scoring his maiden IPL fifty to help set up a target of 177 runs.Harbhajan finished with impressive figures of 2/20 in his four overs.

               MI innings got off to the worst possible start when skipper Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a nought in the second ball of the chase by Sandeep Sharma. The swing bowler in fact bowled out his overs on the trot to finish with outstanding figures of 1/12.Mitchell Johnson accounted for fellow Aussie Aaron Finch and Ambati Rayudu as Mumbai were in big trouble at 25/4 and later 59/6. With 119 to get from 38 balls and 4 wickets in hand, one cant blame the Kings XI for relaxing. They nearly paid the price as Harbhajan blasted each and every bowler which came his way. Rishi Dhawan especially felt the heat giving away 50 off 4 overs. Along with J Suchith whose superb innings was overshadowed by Bhajji's effort, the 100 run partnership came off just 31 balls and nearly won it for Mumbai.

                                              

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