Mumbai Indians' losing streak continues with defeat against Punjab Kings

Half-centuries for Mayank Agarwal and Shikhar Dhawan and a blistering 46-run stand (16 balls) between Shahrukh Khan and Jitesh Sharma helped the Kings post 198 for 5, a total Mumbai fell 12 runs short of

Pune: Punjab Kings 198-5, Mumbai Indians 186-9 – Punjab Kings won by 12 runs

Scorecard

Mumbai Indians extended their losing streak to five matches after suffering a 12-run defeat against Punjab Kings in Pune.

The five-time champions were in trouble early on, with Punjab openers Mayank Agarwal (52) and Shikhar Dhawan (70) enjoying a 97-run opening partnership off just 57 balls.

Agarwal’s dismissal in the 10th over – caught by Suryakumar Yadav off the bowling of Murugan Ashwin – slowed Punjab’s scoring and wickets began to fall steadily, with Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone and Dhawan all departing in the next 7.3 overs.

^{Dewald Brevis led Mumbai's fightback but to no avail}

However, Jitesh Sharma and Shahrukh Khan took the bowlers on at the death, dispatching 46 runs off 16 balls to push their side beyond the 190-mark before the latter was bowled by Basil Thampi with two balls remaining. Punjab closed on 198 for 5, with Sharma unbeaten on 30 off 15 balls.

In reply, Mumbai Indians lost Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan inside the powerplay to slip to 32 for 2 before Dewald Brevis kicked into gear.

The 18-year-old South African blasted 49 runs from 25 balls, including smashing Rahul Chahar for one four and four consecutive sixes in the ninth over, as part of an 84-run stand (41 balls) with Tilak Varma.

Unfortunately, when he was dismissed by Odean Smith (caught Arshdeep Singh) in the 11th over, his teammates couldn’t build on his fireworks and despite handy knocks from Varma (36 off 20) and Yadav (43 off 30), Mumbai’s inability to form partnerships cost them dearly.

They closed on 186 for 9, with Smith collecting 4 for 30 from three overs and Kagiso Rabada taking an economical 2 for 29.