This is Mumbai's third straight win.
For much of the season so far, Mumbai Indians openers Lendl Simmons and Parthiv Patel got to quick-fire 20s and 30s, but never really kicked on after that.
On Sunday, they shared a brilliant 111-run partnership as the Mumbai Indians defeated the Kings XI Punjab by 23 runs at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, in Mohali.
This was Mumbai's third victory in a row, and continue to keep themselves in contention for a play-offs berth. The Kings, meanwhile, suffered their seventh defeat in nine games to all but
Despite that stand in about 12 overs, the visitors posted only 172/3 in 20 overs. But as it turned out, the total was more than enough as the Punjab batting line-up once again failed to fire, managing only 149/7.
Virender Sehwag once again didn't bother the scorers too much, getting out to Lasith Malinga for two. Glenn Maxwell, back in the side, was promoted to No. 3, but after a couple of boundaries, lost his wicket trying to reverse sweep left-arm spinner Jagadeesha Suchith.
Murali Vijay (39) and David Miller (43) then got together and steadied the ship, but the Indian went for a shot too many as he was holed out in the deep off Harbhajan Singh's bowling to make it 86/3 in the 12th over. Skipper George Bailey came in and took time to get going, and with the required rate always climbing, the Mumbai bowlers didn't allow Miller and Bailey to hit boundaries.
With Miller gone in the 17th over, off Malinga, and Bailey and Wriddhiman Saha unable to strike big, it became too tough an ask for the hosts.
Earlier, Simmons (71) and Parthiv (59) played some delightful shots to set the ball rolling for Mumbai. Patel showed his intent in the fifth over bowled by Mitchell Johnson, smashing him for 17 runs. Mumbai reached 51 in six overs and the right-left combination continued to attack the Punjab bowlers.
Patel continued his aggression, his innings comprising five fours and three sixes, as Mumbai reached 100 in the 11th over.
Leg-spinner Karanveer Singh (1/30) put the brakes on the rampaging Mumbai innings as Patel offered a catch to Murali Vijay.
At 111/1, Sharma joined Simmons and played a perfect foil to the West Indian. Rohit scored 26 in 20 deliveries before perishing to Johnson, who conceded 41 runs in his quota of four overs.
After putting his team in command, Simmons lost his wicket to right-arm medium pacer Anureet Singh.
-with agency inputs
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