Ravichandran Ashwin-led Kings XI Punjab thrashed Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians (MI) by eight wickets at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Saturday.
Punjab’s chase was spearheaded by a controlled innings from KL Rahul, who remained unbeaten on 71 off 57 balls, and some aggressive cameos from Gayle (40 off 24 balls) and Mayank Agarwal (43 off 21 balls).
Earlier, Mumbai posted a total of 176/7 in their stipulated overs. They got to a flying start, propelled by Quinton de Kock’s 39-ball 60. Their scoring rate fell down considerably in the middle overs, and Hardik Pandya’s 19-ball 31 helped them to put up a respectable total.
After a last-ball win against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on last Thursday, MI was looking to continue the winning momentum against KXIP in the ninth match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Top job by @klrahul11, staying till the end and finishing it nicely, another fantastic player @mayankcricket made going easy for Punjab. Gayle's start was vital too. #IPL#KXIPvMI
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) March 30, 2019
Winning moments from Mohali as @lionsdenkxip win their first home game 🕺🕺#VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/eCig10twgk
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 30, 2019
Clinical in a run-chase. Rahul’s innings was a fine example of how cricket is a team sport. First Gayle and then, Mayank allowed him to find form. #MI needs to figure out their batting order… #KXIPvMI
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 30, 2019
The #UniverseBoss is in the mood …. !!!! #IPL2019
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 30, 2019
Congrats to @lionsdenkxip with a wonderful display in their 1st home game in @IPL season 12 👏🎉 #niceworkgents
— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) March 30, 2019
So here’s a mankad suggestion. 🏏
Why not get the 3rd umpire to check the front foot for no balls, if he/she notices a batter leaving their ground prior to delivery he/she can then issue either a warning, or 5 penalty runs. If the batter continues, mankad comes in no worries.— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 30, 2019
About the right time for #MI to start thinking youngsters … and keep moving forward ? they have been the best in terms of identifying and producing Indian talent after all.. of all the #IPL teams #KXIPvsMI #IPL2019 #BadriBytes
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) March 30, 2019
First 31 runs in 37 balls 👍
Next 40 runs in 20 balls 🙌When @klrahul11 bats, haule haule ho jaayega pyaar ❤️#SaddaPunjab #KXIPvMI #KXIP #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/wntRk01OVC
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 30, 2019
Our lucky charm, @realpreityzinta, watched the Shers win the first home game in some style. ❤#SaddaPunjab #KXIPvMI #KXIP #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/QqRqXhYNhE
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 30, 2019
😔 Not the result we wished for in Mohali but the Men in Blue and Gold will huddle up and come back stronger.#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians #KXIPvMI pic.twitter.com/Fdvu5D3yoX
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/AyeChampa/status/1111993416173473794
What run chase by @kxip. Great innings from @klrahul11 @mayankcricket and @chrisgayle.#MIvsKXIP #ipl #klrahul #mayank_aggrawal #fun
— Varinder Sandhu (@vssandhu105) March 30, 2019
