NEW DELHI: Ashutosh Sharma nearly single-handedly secured a win for Punjab Kings, turning the game around unexpectedly. However, Mumbai Indians managed to withstand his remarkable performance and clinch a nine-run victory in a thrilling match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Thursday.
Punjab Kings faced the threat of a significant net run rate impact when they were at 14/4 and later at 77/6 in pursuit of 193.
After Shashank's 25-ball 41, Ashutosh kept the momentum going with a dazzling 25-ball 61.
Once Ashutosh was dismissed, Mumbai Indians regained control.
Following Ashutosh's wicket, Punjab Kings lost Harpreet Brar, but the final batter Kagiso Rabada instilled hope by hitting a six off
Hardik Pandya
over deep backward square leg in the 19th over, reducing the equation to 12 runs from the last 6 balls.
Pandya's tension was clearly visible on his face and he handed the ball to young
Akash Madhwal
for the final over.
Madhwal needed confidence going into the crucial last over, and former captain
Rohit Sharma
quickly approached the young pacer to offer advice.
In a video shared on social media, Madhwal is seen paying attention to Rohit's guidance rather than Pandya.
Madhwal bowled the first ball, and Rabada was run out for 8 runs, leading to Punjab Kings being bowled out for 183 in 19.1 overs.
WATCH:
This was the fifth defeat, the third in a row, for Punjab Kings in 7 matches. They are eight in the points tally.
Punjab Kings will next face Gujarat Titans on Sunday.
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