IPL 2020: KXIP vs MI Review – Clinical Mumbai go top of the table with big win

IPL 2020 is either producing some amazing thrillers or some pretty one-sided encounters. A sensational start to the week was followed by consecutive one-sided matches. After KKR’s clinical win last night, the Mumbai Indians have registered their second win of the season thumping Kings XI Punjab by 48 runs.

After being invited to bat first, MI were propelled by their skipper Rohit Sharma who scored 70 off 44 balls. They were struggling at 21/2 at one stage and recovered well thanks to Rohit’s fifty. Then, the partnership between Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya shot their score up in the last five overs. The duo added an unbeaten 67 off just 23 to help the team end on 191/4 after 20 overs.

In response, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal got the team off to a quick start. But once the partnership was broken, there was no looking behind for MI as their bowlers hit the right lengths time and again. Nicholas Pooran threatened for some time with a 27-ball 44. But none of the other batsmen could live up to the expectations as KXIP could only score 143 runs in their 20 overs.

Turning points

Pollard-Pandya stun KXIP – Rohit got out in the 17th over to Mohammed Shami and his wicket would’ve surely relieved KXIP. But little did they know what was going to follow. Hardik and Pollard literally ripped apart their bowling line-up. Add to it, a spinner came on to bowl the last over and they smacked four sixes in it scoring 25 runs. The partnership of 67* runs turned out to be the difference in the end.

Top performers

Records made

• Rohit Sharma completed his 5000 runs in the IPL – becoming the third batsman after Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli
• KL Rahul completed his 500 runs against Mumbai Indians
• The 48-run win is Mumbai’s biggest win over Punjab till date

Way Ahead

MI will now travel to Sharjah to face the SRH on Sunday (October 3), while KXIP will lock horns against CSK in Dubai later that day.

Moment of the match

The 4th over by @krunalpandya24 and the 5th by @Jaspritbumrah93 changed the momentum of the game. @rdchahar1’s 2 wickets were very important in the middle overs. #KXIP never regained momentum after that to put #MI bowlers under any pressure.#KXIPvMI #IPL2020

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 1, 2020