IPL 8: Kings XI Punjab survive Bhajji blitz to beat Mumbai Indians

Kings XI Punjab survived a late fightback by Harbhajan Singh to beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Wakhede Stadium here on Sunday.

Harbhajan remained unbeaten on 64. Mitchell Johnson was the best bowler for KXIP, ending with figures of 2/23.

Kings XI Punjab bowler Mitchell Johnson celebrates a wicket of Mumbai Indians batsman Aaron Finch during a IPL T20 match played in Mumbai on Sunday. Pic/PTI

Earlier, the visitors rode on a good start and late fireworks by skipper George Bailey to post an imposing 177/5.

Put into bat, Kings XI began on a high with openers Virender Sehwag and Murali Vijay hitting the ball to all parts of the park with ease.

The very first over of pacer R Vinay Kumar went for 10 runs as Vijay struck two boundaries and sneaked a two.

The duo didn't let the run flow go down as the team's 50 came of just 5.2 overs.

But a bowling change by skipper Rohit Sharma bringing proved productive as the experienced Harbhajan Singh dismissed hard-hitting Sehwag (36 of 19 balls, with 6 boundaries and a sixer), with Kieron Pollard taking the catch at long on.

With Sehwag departing, Australia's Glenn Maxwell came in, but only for a very brief while. He fell only for six, failing to middle the ball, and Ambati Rayudu, stationed at deep mid wicket, took the easy catch. The bowler was debutant Jagadeesha Suchith.

Soon after Maxwell's dismissal, Vijay (35 off 28 balls) also returned.

Miller (24 off 23 balls) also didn't last long as he edged one to wicket-keeper Aditya Tare off the bowling of Lasith Malinga.

Bailey played a captain's knock of 61 from 32 balls with four boundaries and three sixes at the end of the innings to give the visitors a commendable score on the board.

For Mumbai, spinner Harbhajan Singh was impressive with figures of 4-0-20-2, along with fast bowler Lasith Malinga with 4-0-34-2.