Mumbai Indians’ (MI) dynamic left-handed batter Quinton de Kock smashed a turbulent ton against Punjab Kings (PBKS). MI got 195-6 as it was a sheer brilliance of Quinton de Kock who led the team from the front. PBKS’ bowlers had a topsy-turvy day on a not so belter of wicket.
PBKS strike twice in powerplay overs
MI were put in to bat by PBKS on a bit greenish surface as it wasn’t a typical belter of a wicket. Arshdeep Singh & Marco Jansen frustrated Quinton de Kock & Ryan Rickelton with immaculate line & lengths. In the 3rd over bowled by Arshdeep Rickelton checked his shot at deep square leg as he was back in dug out & astoundingly, Suryakumar Yadav was out on a golden duck as there was an edge at third man. MI was stranded for 12-2 in 2.2 overs.
Naman Dhir got a life on 10 as he was dropped at fine leg by Yuzvendra Chahal on bowling of Jansen, at that time MI’s score was 25-2 in 4.1 overs. Naman Dhir & Quinton de Kock slowly steadied the ship as PBKS’ bowlers were quite disciplined in their approach. MI scored 48-2 in 6 overs.
Quinton de Kock & Naman Dhir dominate PBKS in the middle overs.
Naman & Quinton didn’ allow Chahal to settle who unleashed attack in 7th over by smashing 19 runs of the over. Quinton de Kock was the aggressor in chief as the short-wide off-stump channel ploy didn’t irk him that much as he slashed down the covers & point region consistently.
The peculiarity of Naman & Quinton was that they kept on rotating the strike; the left-hand-right-hand combination made life harder for PBKS bowlers. Chahal was hammered by both as they were hitting sixes for fun. Shashank Singh’s inclusion in the 14th over broke the partnership as Naman Dhir (50 in 31 balls, hitting 3 fours and 3 sixes). Quinton de Kock was looking ominous as the dismissal of Naman didn’t impact him at as he continued his calculated wild slog. MI’s score at 16 overs was 160-3 as a strategic time-out was taken.
Quinton de Kock smashes a ton, but PBKS fight in the death overs
Quinton de Kock got to his 3rd IPL ton in the 17th over after hitting a boundary against Xavier Bartlett. Quinton scored his century in 53 balls as his addition did wonders for MI at the top, as Rohit Sharma was injured. Hardik Pandya (14 in 12) was seen struggling & just when Hardik was getting into the groove, Shreyas Iyer at deep long on took a breath-taking catch as MI’s score was 175-4 in 17.3 overs.
PBKS pulled back the things as Arshdeep, & Vijaykumar Vyshak kept on using pace off variations & yorker deliveries. Quinton de Kock scored a mind-boggling 112 runs in 60 as he smashed 8 fours and 7 huge sixes. Arshdeep was the pick of the bowlers who took 3 wickets for 22 runs in his spell of 4 overs.
Who’s winning MI or PBKS?
MI would feel that they are short of 15-20 runs as they couldn’t capitalize in the last 4 overs. MI needs Jasprit Bumrah to take a wicket, who is so far wicketless in the tourney. PBKS, on the other hand, need to be cautious at the start as the surface can be a bit tacky at the start of the run chase. Prabhsimran Singh & Priyansh Arya need to take time before going all-out attack, as once again onus will be on Shreyas Iyer to steer the run chase if there’s an early collapse. PBKS are slight favorites but MI playing at their home venue, things can go crazy.
Also Read: MI vs RCB: Phil Salt & Virat Kohli’s Rampage Destroys MI