June 2, 2024 – Mohali — In a high-octane faceoff that lived up to its billing, Punjab Kings (PBKS) pulled off an impressive 5-wicket win over Mumbai Indians (MI), chasing down the target with six balls to spare. The win not only boosts PBKS’s standing in the points table but also signals a late-season resurgence that could prove crucial in the playoff race.
MI’s Innings: Promising Start, Flat Finish
Mumbai got off to a steady start with openers Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan showing intent, but the momentum dipped after the powerplay. PBKS spinner Rahul Chahar turned the tide with a crucial double-strike, removing Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav in quick succession. MI’s middle order failed to fire, and a late flourish from Tim David helped them post a competitive but chaseable total of 161/7 in 20 overs.
After electing to bowl first on a slightly two-paced Mohali pitch, Punjab’s bowling unit delivered a disciplined performance, restricting Mumbai Indians to a modest total. MI, despite a strong start, faltered in the middle overs, losing wickets in clusters and struggling to accelerate against a tight line-and-length attack.
Punjab’s Chase: Calm, Calculated, and Clinical
In response, Punjab Kings showed maturity and control with the bat. Shikhar Dhawan, anchoring the innings at the top, combined patience with timely aggression, scoring a vital half-century that kept the chase on track. The turning point came in the 15th over when Liam Livingstone launched an assault on MI’s spinners, injecting momentum into the chase.
Though MI tried to claw back with a couple of quick wickets—including Dhawan and Jitesh Sharma—Punjab’s middle-order held its nerve. Sam Curran and Shahrukh Khan wrapped up the chase with confidence, taking the team home in 19 overs with five wickets in hand.
Post-Match Reactions
Speaking after the win, PBKS skipper Shikhar Dhawan credited the team’s composure under pressure:
“We stuck to our plans and backed our bowlers to deliver in the middle overs. The batters responded well and paced the chase perfectly.”
MI captain Hardik Pandya, visibly disappointed, pointed to missed opportunities:
“We lost the plot in the middle overs with both bat and ball. It’s back to the drawing board for us.”
Key Takeaways:
- Rahul Chahar starred with the ball, finishing with figures of 2/22, earning the Player of the Match title.
- Shikhar Dhawan scored a pivotal 56 off 44 balls, anchoring the chase.
- PBKS moved up two spots on the points table, reinvigorating their playoff hopes.
- MI suffered their third loss in four matches, raising concerns over middle-order consistency.
This win could be a turning point in PBKS’s campaign, as they look to carry this momentum into the final leg of the season. For MI, the road ahead looks steeper, with team balance and execution under the spotlight.
Stay tuned for more updates, post-match analysis, and upcoming fixtures from the thrilling 2024 IPL season.
Last Updated on: Monday, June 2, 2025 6:35 pm by Ankur Srivastava | Published by: Gracy P on Monday, June 2, 2025 6:12 pm | News Categories: News
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