AMBATI Rayudu’s late heroics with the bat helped Mumbai Indians secure a thrilling four-wicket Indian Premier League win over Kings XI Punjab with one ball to spare. Chasing a target of 169, Mumbai’s run rate looked too slow to overhaul their opponents despite a half-century from Rohit Sharma.
Sharma, who made exactly 50 from 30 balls, fell when he slashed a shot to Azhar Mahmood off the bowling of Parvinder Awana, and the dismissal looked to have ended Mumbai’s hopes of victory.
But Rayudu’s arrival sparked a flurry of activity, and with the help of Robin Peterson (16 n.o.), the pair took 27 runs off Piyush Chawla in the penultimate over to leave them needing five from the final six balls. Mahmood had restricted Mumbai to singles until Rayudu’s boundary off the penultimate ball snatched the win.
Rayudu finished unbeaten on 34 from 17 balls, including two fours and two sixes, as the Indians finished on 171 for six.
Earlier, Punjab captain David Hussey had scored an unbeaten 68 off 40 balls (four fours, four sixes) to form the backbone of their innings as they reached 168 for three.
David Miller chipped in with 34 not out as the pair put on a stand of 89 in just seven overs, although their efforts eventually proved in vain. (PA Sport)