IPL: Stoinis scalps four as Punjab hold Mumbai to 124/9

Australia's promising all-rounder Marcus Stoinis claimed an impressive four-wicket haul as Kings XI Punjab restricted Mumbai Indians to a meagre 124/9 in 20 overs in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match here on Friday.

Kieron Pollard (27) was the top scorer for Mumbai, while Stoinis (4-15), Sandeep Sharma (2-11) and Mohit Sharma (2-26) were the pick of the bowlers for Kings XI.

Opting to bat, Mumbai got off to a disappointing start losing opener Unmukt Chand (0) and Ambati Rayudu (0) inside the first three overs to have the team in the back foot right at 8/2.

Chand's opening partner and skipper Rohit Sharma (15) along with incoming batsman Nitish Rane (25) held on to take the team to 21/2 after completion of powerplay.

With the home side going at a poor run rate, Rohit, trying to up the scoring, sought to sweep left-arm spinner Axar Patel but was clean bowled.

His wicket at a crucial juncture brought more troubles for the defending champions as they were down to 36/3 in the ninth over itself.

It was not the end of worries for Mumbai as yet as another set batsman Rane, who looking to score, was eventually caught behind by wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha off the bowling of Stoinis.

Incoming batsman Jos Buttler (9) too did not trouble the opposition much as half of Mumbai's batsmen were back in the pavilion with the team at 61/5 in the 14th over.

Hard-hitter Pollard and Krunal Pandya (19), who were new at the crease, took a bit to settle down but once they got used, took on the bowlers with couple of boundaries and sixes to put Mumbai back into the game. The duo helped the side cross the 100-run mark and stay on course for a competitive total.

But the 42-run partnership for the sixth wicket came to an end in the 17th over as Stoinis dismissed Krunal, followed by Pollard in successive balls to put Punjab back into the game.

From there on the home side lost wickets in clusters, losing Tim Southee (1) and Mitchell McClenaghan (4), but Harbhajan Singh (14 not out) with a few blows helped his team cross 120-run mark.

Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians 124/9 in 20 overs (Kieron Pollard 27; Marcus Stoinis 4-15) vs Kings XI Punjab

--IANS

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