Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians, 35th Match - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Series: Indian Premier League 2015 Venue: Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali Date & Time: May 03, 04:00 PM LOCAL

Kings XI Punjab host Mumbai Indians in a crucial encounter for both teams. The Rohit Sharma led side has six points after eight games while George Bailey's side has accumulated only four points from their eight matches.

Mumbai Indians has seen a late resurgence with two back-to-back wins, bringing life into their campaign which was threatening to implode. Lendl Simmons has been impressive at the top of the order and that has eased the pressure on Rohit & Co. In the bowling unit, Lasith Malinga and Mitchell McClenaghan have performed really well.

On the other hand, Kings XI Punjab have reached a dead end. It's now or never for them. A loss today and they might well start playing just for pride.

Head-to-head: MI and KXIP have played each other 15 times and KXIP have a slight 8-7 winning advantage.

Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to bat first. He believes it is a good batting wicket and would like to put up a big score first.

Plenty of changes in the Kings XI Punjab side. Manan Vohra is sick, so Murali Vijay replaces him. Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Johnson and Karanveer Singh are back in the side too.

Teams:

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Lendl Simmons, Parthiv Patel(w), Unmukt Chand, Rohit Sharma(c), Ambati Rayudu, Kieron Pollard, Harbhajan Singh, Jagadeesha Suchith, Mitchell McClenaghan, Vinay Kumar, Lasith Malinga

Kings XI Punjab (Playing XI): Virender Sehwag, Murali Vijay, Wriddhiman Saha(w), George Bailey(c), David Miller, Glenn Maxwell, Axar Patel, Mitchell Johnson, Karanveer Singh, Anureet Singh, Sandeep Sharma

Are you as confident as Rohit that Mumbai Indians will put up a big score batting first?

I say they will get 183. What about you?

Bharath: 173

Sriram: 174

Ramki: 160

Akshay: 177

Pradeep: 169

Mani: 167

Vishaal: 155

Raju: 156

Pocket-size dynamite Parthiv Patel audaciously took on Mitchell Johnson hammering 18 runs off his over. He began with a six off the second delivery, a fantastic ramp over the slip cordon, followed it up by flicking the next delivery for a four and then drove the fifth ball to the extra cover fence.

Axar Patel came into the attack the next over. Parthiv was almost run-out on the first ball. He flicked a tossed delivery towards mid-wicket and attempted to take a quick single. Simmons sent him back and Parthiv slipped as he turned back. Luckily for him, Maxwell's throw was quite wide and Saha missed to clip off the bails before Parthiv made his way back.

Lendl Simmons has been in terrific form from last few games. He started off with back-to-back fours off Sandeep Sharma in the first over. MI scored 9 runs of that over. The second one was bowled by Anureet Singh. After keeping Simmons quiet for a first couple of balls, Anureet too conceded a boundary.

Overall a decent start for MI. Can they press on?

: 0, 36, 47, 11, 1, 1, 1, 9. vMI

28 29

Although Miller is still out there for Punjab, MI have managed to keep things tight to an extent. Except a couple of odd boundary balls, Punjab have not been able to hit around. Harbhajan finished his quota of four overs, gave away 27 runs and took 1 wicket.

KXIP now need 68 off 36 balls.

Despite Miller and Bailey at the crease, KXIP found it difficult to get going. They kept the scorecard ticking but need more than a few hits to cross the finish line. The most important thing is that they have wickets in hand and can afford to take risk.

Malinga and McClenaghan both did a good job in the 15th and 16th overs. Punjab now need 55 off 24 balls. Too much?

Malinga got the main man Miller, who was batting on 43. Could this be the turning point of the game?

Miller came down the track and drove hard but he hit it uppishly and Rohit held onto a sharp take to his left at cover. The batsman earlier thought it was a bump ball and held his ground. The on-field umpires had to refer it to the TV umpire, who had no hesitation in sending Miller back into the pavilion.

No boundary in the last 27 balls for Punjab. Sigh! They need 45 off 13 and it's too tough now! Or is it?

Malinga began the 19th over poorly. Saha hit him for the four to deep square leg on the first ball and Bailey hit him for a boundary on the third ball. Malinga ended up offering a freebie on the fourth ball but Bailey was not able to connect his bat and missed out on the juicy full toss. The Punjab skipper was so annoyed, he threw his bat down in disgust, something unusual for a man like him.

There were two run-outs on the next two deliveries. First to go was Bailey, who looked to steal a bye but Parthiv fired an accurate throw at the striker's end and the batsman was not even in the picture when the ball hit. Axar Patel departed on the next ball as he was late to respond and was well short of his crease when Malinga fired a direct hit at his end.

33 runs were needed off the last over and Vinay Kumar bowled it. But it was too much to do for Saha and Johnson, who could only add 9 runs.

Mumbai won by 23 runs! It is their third win in a row.