IPL 2021: Hardik Pandya's power hitting downs PBKS as MI end losing streak

An extraordinary display of destructive batting by all-rounder Hardik Pandya ensured that the Mumbai Indians (MI) broke their three-game losing streak and earned a valuable two points against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Tuesday in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). With five runs to go off seven deliveries, Pandya smacked a humongous six to clinch the game. He finished with a score of 40 off just 30 deliveries. PBKS was the team to bat first and they made a score of 135-6 at the end of 20 overs. MI responded with 137-4 in 19 overs. It was a much needed win for the defending champions as they can finally get their second leg of the campaign up and running.

HARDIK PANDYA’S DESTRUCTIVE BATTING ON FULL DISPLAY

Hardik Pandya was undoubtedly the hero for MI. At a time when it seemed like PBKS would inflict a fourth successive defeat to the men in blue, Pandya stepped up and finished the job in some style. He made an unbeaten 40 runs off 30 deliveries. Saurabh Tiwary was another player who batted exceptionally on the day. Tiwary scored a crucial 45 off 37 deliveries to build the platform for Pandya to fire. Kieron Pollard was among the runs as well, making a quickfire 15 runs off just seven deliveries. At the top of the order, Quinton de Kock scored 27 runs but took 29 balls. Skipper Rohit Sharma disappointed with the bat as he could only make eight.

The PBKS bowlers tried their best to take the match away from MI but Hardik’s power hitting proved to be a bit too much. Even then, there were few positive performances. Spinner Ravi Bishnoi continued his good run of form as he bagged two wickets for just 25 runs in his four overs. Nathan Ellis did a fantastic job as he picked one wicket and conceded only 13 runs in three overs. Veteran pacer Mohammad Shami also picked a wicket but he was smashed for 42 runs in four overs.

BATTING WILL BE A CONCERN FOR PBKS

Despite the pitch being unsuitable for batting, PBKS will have concerns regarding the performance of their batting unit. While there were a number of substantial scores, the rate of scoring was just too low. Skipper KL Rahul made 21 runs off 22 deliveries while Mayank Agarwal managed to get 15 runs off 14. Down the order, Deepak Hooda did a commendable job with the bat as he scored 28 runs off 26 deliveries.

However, if there is anyone the PBKS contingent should thank, it is South African batter AIden Markram. Markram played the game with no fear. He smashed the MI bowlers all around the park, scoring an explosive 42 off just 29 deliveries.

In the end, Rohit Sharma will be happy with the bowling performance his players displayed in the first innings. Jasprit Bumrah, as usual, was the pick of the bowlers as he picked a couple of wickets and conceded just 24 runs in four overs. Kieron Pollard picked a couple of wickets as well and conceded eight runs in one over. Krunal Pandya and Rahul Chahar picked one wicket each.