Indian Premier League (IPL)

Match 45: Kings XI Punjab vs. Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians after return of Sachin Tendulkar became more confident and gelled as unit. Mumbai who are unbeaten from consecutive 6 games they played after loosing 4 opening matches. Sachin Tendulkar won toss and elected visitors to bat first. Kings XI Punjab with solid and aggressive batting started things in grand way. After early loss of James Hopes, Marsh and Pomerbasch soon capitilized to form a big and important partnership. Aussie combination worked effectively for Kings XI Punjab they scored 134 runs together. After departure of Marsh who scored 81 runs and steered team towards decisive total. Meanwhile Pomerbach continued to bat flawless and stayed unbeaten on 79 runs till the end of innings no major parntership formed after arrival of Marsh. Punjab siezed their innings scoring 189 runs.

Sanath Jayasuriya and Sachin Tendulkar went out to bat and chase massive total of 190 initialized things in superb way. But most expected Jayasuriya dismissed by Sreesanth then Tendulkar and Smith formed a short more worthful partnership but Smith ran out and Mumbai Indians incurred in more problems then Abhishek Nayyar joined captain to rescue Mumbai Indians in difficult situation after a useful contribution of 27 off 18 he felt just after Nayyar well set batsman Sachin Tendulkar which changed the complete tempo of game in favour of Kings XI Punjab. Punjab soon captilised and took instant wickets on the spot of Uthappa and Pollock. Major break troughs caused trouble for late orders tailenders. However they struck level best but due to absolute classical fielding made Kings XI Punjab winner of the game by just one 1 run. 5 run-out created special efforts to win over strong batting line-up of Mumbai Indians. The win over Mumbai opened doors for Kings XI Punjab in semis. Shaun Marsh again awarded as Man of The Match due to splendid piece of batting.

Match 40: Delhi DareDevils vs. Kings XI Punjab

Another exciting match between two good sides Delhi and Punjab playing at Feroz Shah Kotla Day Nighter in front of large audience. From Initial play interupted due to Rain and game delayed for a while. Virendar Sehwag who won the toss and choosen to bat first on flat track. Magical opening pair of Gambhir and Sehwag opened brilliantly. Infact Sehwag dropped earlier by Yuvraj Singh who missed the simple sitter which cost much higher as Sehwag started to counter attach each and every bowler of Kings XI Punjab including VRV Singh and Piyush Chawla went for many. Gambhir shown same kind of ravishing batting form along Sehwag. Both of them maintained scoring rate with fantastic momentum. After scoring 40 runs Gambhir bowled by Ramesh Powar. Powar playing his 2nd match strucked another blow this time Shekar Dhawan early in his 2nd over. Some problems started for Delhi DareDevils after falling 4 wickets in quick sessions. But sudden rain stoppage discarded players attention. Delhi DareDevils well placed in 11 over scoring 118 runs on the board.

After several interuption on the field Duckworths Lewis method introduced to get match results. Kings XI Punjab openers not provided absolute start as they given in past. Shaun Marsh felt earlier. James Hopes and Yuvraj Singh looked to partnership. Glenn McGrath dismissed Yuvraj Singh in process of lifting up the scoring rate. Following next over James Hopes also sent back by legspinner Mishra. Mahela Jayawardene and Pomerbach steered Kings XI Punjab extra-ordinary with maintainence of high runs per over 11.75 which favored Kings XI Punjab to win over Delhi DareDevils according to D/L Method. Fine innings of Jayawardene 36 runs off 17 balls remain Kings XI Punjab winner of the day. Jayawardene awarded as man of the match for his performance

Match 34 - Royal Challengers vs. Kings XI Punjab

Kings XI Punjab who are up against underdogs of IPL tournament in their home ground PCA Mohali. Kings XI Punjab considered to be strongest contender of IPL with solid combination of players. Royal Challengers won the toss and Rahul Dravid elected to bat first. Misbah-ul-Haq included in squad yet again with ArunKumar. Royal Challengers slightly alter their tactics as Arunkumar and Kohli opened up innings Arunkumar felt early with fantastic bowling from Sreesanth. After 1st dismissal Misbah came in at number 3. From beginning he looks in fine touch and started to consolidate. Incidently he get out hit wicket in bowling of Sreesanth he scored quick 21 runs off 8 balls including 3 4’s and 1 6’s. Cameron White arrived who is still looking to impress in IPL. V Kohli also went out scoring same 21 runs. Then Rahul Dravid skipper joined Cameron White. After scoring 25 runs partnership White simply get out. RCB struggling and searching for parnterships then Mark Boucher arrived to develop any how platform to raise the runs momentum for RCB. Meanwhile Irfan Pathan, Piyush Chawla and Sreesaanth applied pressure constantly and took wickets in regular intervals. Rahul Dravid also removed by brilliant yorker from Pathan he scored 29 runs. Parveen Kumar came in to join Mark Boucher but no one seemed to settle for long as flory of wickets again started to tumble for RCB. They scored 144 for the loss of 8 wickets with a run rate of 7.15 per over.

Kings XI Punjab who are relatively good chaser batting second except last match against Chennai they batted much well. Shaun Marsh and James Hopes opened up for Kings XI Punjab. Marsh who is in premium form pulled off things for Kings XI Punjab quite brilliant. After dismissal of Hopes another young Aussie came to join fellow mate Pomersbach and continue to provide momentum in run chase for 144. However Marsh reached his second half-century of the tournament. Pace Attack of RCB unable to provide any major breakthroughs. Infact Anil Kumble also remained wicketless along with Zaheer Khan. Shaun Marsh and Pomerbach sealed off target within 15.4 overs with handy run rate of 9.19 runs per over. Another loss for Royal Challengers Bangalore which suffers team for more problems any how there is no more chance to reach any respective position in standings. Kings XI Punjab won comprehensively by 9 wickets Shaun Marsh again rewarded as Man of the Match second time for his brilliant knock of 71 runs.

Match 25 - Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Kings XI Punjab

Kings XI Punjab which is proving to be strongest contender with great combination of overseas and local players up against Royal Challengers Bangalore who is striving for grab some wins to reach any respected place in standings. Yuvraj Singh won the toss and elected to field first. Wasim Jaffar and V Kohli opened up innings. Wasim Jaffer who is most consitent for RCB fall early and Sreesanth sent him back with his brillant bowling. Cameron White added in squad and promoted @ number 3 and he unable to rescue against Sreesanth he bowled out for duck. Very first over of the match creating many problems for RCB. Then Jacques Kallis arrived he also perished for duck in case of slow running and ran out. Rahul Dravid the skipper came in and joined young V Kohli for fabolous and crucial partnership provided resistance to RCB innings. Kohli looked to hit and increase the tempo of the innings he also got dropped by James Hopes. But Pathan dismissed hitting a loose shot caught by Sreesanth. Rahul Dravid continued to shown his batting class well Misbah-ul-Haq joined him but again he failed to score much runs went out for 8 runs. After Misbah wicket, wickets started to tumble @ regular intervals hard hitter Parveen Kumar also get out cheaply. Rahul Dravid after reaching his fabolous fifty got out in process of increasing run-rate. After him no one appeared to stay at crease. Royal Challenger Bangalore disappeared yet again batting first this time cheapest total on board 126 all out. RCB innings included 6 ducks which costed much higher to them.

In Reply of modest total Shaun Marsh and James opened up innings for Kings XI Punjab. James Hopes dismissed early stage of innings by Zaheer Khan. Ramnaresh Sarwan and Marsh played delicate innings & developed short partnership. Parveen Kumar able to took some wickets for RCB and enlighten some kind of hope to return his team into match yet again. He took Ramnaresh Sarwan and captain Yuvraj Singh but it was not yet over. Mahela Jayawardena and Irfan Pathan wrapped off run chase within 19th over and won by 6 wickets with 10 balls to spare. Sreesanth was awarded as Man of the Match

Match-19 Deccan Chargers vs. Kings XI Punjab

Deccan Chargers who registered their first win against Mumbai Indians other night and Kings XI Punjab after hesistant start in IPL soon gripped up from last two matches. Its a day nighter second match of the day because of 1st May at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. Yuvraj Singh, captain of Kings XI Punjab won the toss and elected to field first. Deccan Chargers started things not bad like as they did in past. Much expected Adam Gilchrist got early out with brilliant piece of bowling from Irfan Pathan. Herchelle Gibbs who playing his first game of IPL didn’t look to score much he also perished only making few runs. VVS Laxman looked in fine touch and created great momentum with bat. Shahid Afridi also came but again unable to score much. It was again young and highly versatile Rohit Sharma who took the charge in bowling ahead of VVS Laxman who get out cheaply by Piyush Chawla. The Factor of Piyush Chawla also proven to be fantastic, he grabbed up 3 major blows for Kings XI Punjab. Instead of Brett Lee some one need to took charge and Piyush did greatly. The assault of Rohit Sharma continues till the last bowl of the Deccan innings. He remained not out for 76 and Deccan Chargers made 164 for the loss of 8 wickets.

Shaun Marsh a new invention of IPL playing first match, seems to be in great form of nick. He steered expertly and involved in certain partnership time by time. His partner Ramnaresh Sarwan eventually get out as Run out and then Kumar Sangakkara also disappeared without scoring many. Marsh continued to show his batting skills and extreme class. Yuvraj Singh also came but didn’t hit many and certainly get out. Mahela Jayawardena also shown great resistance and contribution in match winning parntership along Shaun Marsh. They put on unbeaten partnership of 81 runs which given comfortable victory for Kings XI Punjab. It is their third victory in a row. Deccan Chargers despite of loosing Andrew Symonds and winning last match unable to make much more against Kings XI Punjab. But Shaun Marsh put on great unbeaten 84 much needed for his team and was rewarded as Man of the Match.

Match 13 - Kings XI Punjab vs. Delhi DareDevils

Delhi DareDevils captain Virendar Sehwag won the toss and decided to bat first on flat and batting track. Yuvraj Singh guided bowlers to grab out wickets at quick intervals. The plan worked for him pidy early when Virendar Sehwag who is in supreme touch dismissed by Irfan Pathan. From other end VRV Singh continued to apply more pressure with his straight line bowling Brett Lee also bowled at great pace. Handy contribution of Manoj Tiwari and Dinesh Karthik made Delhi DareDevils to reach score of 158/6 no one performed really well for Sehwags XI.

King XI Punjab opened up worldclass bowling attack of Delhi DareDevils picked 2 early blows for Kings XI Punjab in shape of Karan Goel and Kumar Sangakkara. Simon Katich played a fine knock for his 75 along with Mahela Jayawardena and Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj Singh also scored awesome cricketing shots. Mohammad Asif striked some wickets for Delhi but it was well enough because of great contribution of Simon Katich and Yuvraj Katich guided a fine and easy victory for Kings XI. Its proven to be fine comeback by Punjab after loosing 2 matches in a row and winning against Delhi and Mumbai Indians this week. Simon Katich was rewarded as Man of the Match for his magnificient 75.

Match 10 – Kings XI Punjab vs. Mumbai Indians @ Mohali

Much interesting match of IPL Cricket League because Punjab and Mumbai both looking to open account on points table after winning this encounter. Stage set as Harbhajan Singh again won the toss and elected to field first. Mumbai Indians who was missing Sachin Tendulkar (Legend Cricketer) and captain of team quite badly.
Karan Goel and newly promoted Irfan Pathan opened up the innings for Kings XI Punjab. Pathan felt earlier only by making 6 runs. Kumar Sangakkara came in and shown great display of natural batting and ultimate class. Karan Goel run out cheaply due to confusion between Sangakkara only made 19 runs. Yuvraj Singh captain of Kings XI Punjab arrived with smashing mode. He stoked some good shots but caught out greatly by Dwayne Brawo with a decent catch. After him Ramnaresh Sarwan and Mahela Jaywardena joined Sangakkara but no one over looked to build strong partnership but Sangakkara continued his batting momentum and made his table to decent score of 180+ and got out in process of slogging against Harbajhan Singh. Kings XI Punjab ended up with 182 all out.
Mumbai Indians who are not very good in chasing batting second. Started off innings quite badly as Sanath Jayasuriya who given straight back chance to Lee and following next ball Luke Ronchi dismissed due to misunderstanding with Robin Uthappa.

Dywane Bravo and Robin Uthappa smelt a partnership together. But it was soon enough broken by Piyush Chawla a leg spinner who really turns around the game from Kings XI. After dismissal of Bravo and Uthappa no one continued to maintain the runs momentum. Shaun Pollock shown some resistance in the batting he was also outclass with a superb and fantastic catch by Yuvraj Singh. It is a poor and immature batting display by Mumbai Indians cost them to again loose the match. Mumbai Indians ended their innings only by making 116-9 playing all allotted overs. Kumar Sangakkara was rewarded as Man of the Match for his magnificent 94 runs. It is the first victory of Kings XI Punjab in IPL. The owner Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia seemed to much happy and relaxed because of first win in IPL.

Match 10: Kings XI Punjab vs. Mumbai Indians, both teams are unable to make mark on points table will look for a win against each other.

Mumbai Indians which are missing Sachin Tendulkar and his valauble services still unable to create any sort of magic as it Mumbai is the most expensive team of IPL. Kings XI Punjab led by Yuvraj Singh also didn’t look comfortable with team performances. Both team lost their opening and second matches. Harbhajan Singh acting captain of Mumbai Indians still spirited to win over fellow mate Yuvraj Singh’s King XI Punjab. 

It will be amazing encounter between Punjabs and Mumbai teams because of search for first point definately counts on Team moral and confidence.

Mumbai Indians: (probable) 1 Sachin Tendulkar (capt), 2 Sanath Jayasuriya, 3 Luke Ronchi (wk), 4 Robin Uthappa, 5 Abhishek Nayar, 6 Dwayne Bravo, 7 Shaun Pollock, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Musavir Khote, 10 Ashish Nehra, 11 Dhaval Kulkarni.

Kings XI Punjab: (probable) 1 Karan Goel, 2 James Hopes, 3 Kumar Sangakkara, 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Yuvraj Singh (capt), 6 Irfan Pathan, 7 Sunny Sohal, 8 Brett Lee, 9 Piyush Chawla, 10 Vikram Singh, 11 Sreesanth