Punjab openers Mayank, Shikhar roar against Mumbai

Mayank Agarwal (right) celebrates his 50 with Shikhar Dhawan yesterday. Pic/BCCI; IPL

Mumbai Indians' lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah spoke about the importance of maintaining a good line and trying to swing the ball upfront ahead of his team's game against Punjab Kings. The MI bowlers neither managed to swing the new ball, barring Bumrah in the third over, and nor did they bowl a good line with enough consistency. As a result, Punjab Kings hammered them for 198 for five after being put in to bat first at the MCA Stadium on Wednesday.

At the time of going to press, MI were 42-2 in six overs with Dewald Brevis and Tilak Varma batting on eight and two respectively. After losing back-to-back tosses here, Rohit Sharma managed to win one and put Punjab Kings in to bat first. Kings' openers Mayank Agarwal (52) and Shikhar Dhawan (70) took full advantage of the conditions and a MI bowling attack that lacked discipline.

MI managed to pull things back a little bit in the middle overs, with two wickets in the space of five balls. Jaydev Unadkat deceived Jonny Bairstow with a slower one, as the Englishman dragged the ball on his stumps. Bumrah then came up with a perfect yorker to clean bowl Liam Livingstone. MI managed to sleep in a couple of quiet overs in this period. But Jitesh Sharma and Shahrukh Khan ensured that the Kings finished with a flourish.

Brief scores
PBKS 198-5 in 20 overs (S Dhawan 70, M Agarwal 52, Jitesh 30'; B Thampi 2-47) v MI (scores incomplete)