Jaipur: Punjab Kings stormed into Qualifier 1 of the IPL playoffs with a commanding 7-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians at Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Monday, chasing down 185 with 9 balls to spare.
The win not only sealed Punjab’s place in the top two of the points table but also assured them of two chances to reach the final.
Chasing 185, Punjab were led by a dazzling 73 off 42 balls from wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, who anchored the innings with flair and authority. The Australian right-hander struck 9 fours and 3 sixes, dominating Mumbai’s bowling attack even as wickets fell at the other end.
Young opener Priyansh Arya continued his fine form, hammering a brisk 62 off 35 deliveries with 9 boundaries and 2 sixes, before holing out to Suryakumar Yadav off the bowling of Mitchell Santner.
Earlier, Punjab lost Prabhsimran Singh (13) cheaply in the fifth over to Jasprit Bumrah, but the Arya-Inglis partnership of 109 runs for the second wicket took the game away from the hosts. Skipper Shreyas Iyer then guided the chase home with an unbeaten 26 off 16, while Nehal Wadhera struck the winning runs.
Santner was the most effective bowler for Mumbai, returning 2 for 41, while Bumrah was economical yet wicketless in his 4 overs. Mumbai’s other bowlers, including captain Hardik Pandya, were taken apart on a flat pitch that offered little assistance.
Earlier in the evening, Mumbai Indians posted 184 for 7 after electing to bat first, courtesy of a fluent 57 from Suryakumar Yadav and useful late cameos from Hardik Pandya (26 off 15) and Naman Dhir (20 off 12).
Suryakumar’s innings was the bedrock of Mumbai’s effort, coming in at a tricky stage and playing with a blend of finesse and aggression. But Mumbai lost momentum in the death overs, scoring just 33 runs in the last 4, as Punjab’s bowlers tightened the screws.
Arshdeep Singh led the bowling effort with 2 for 28, including the key scalp of Suryakumar off the final delivery of the innings. Marco Jansen and Vijaykumar Vyshak also picked two wickets apiece.
The result sends a strong statement from Punjab Kings, who have gathered steam at the business end of the tournament and now march into Qualifier 1 with confidence and momentum on their side. Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, face an anxious wait to know their fate in the playoff race.
