Twitter Reactions: Mumbai Indians still alive in the race with crucial win over Kings

The defending champions Mumbai Indians have managed to keep their hopes alive this season with yet another crucial win. Having lost 6 matches in the season already, they are under some serious pump. They need to win every game from hereon to ensure that they make it to the playoffs. With the situation being so precarious, the Mumbai camp recently took on the Kings XI Punjab in an away game.

The stage was set at the Holkar Stadium, Indore, for the first ‘home’ game at the venue for the Kings. The hosts managed to put on a decent total of 174 on the board with Chris Gayle being in top form yet again. In the run chase, the visitors were guided by Suryakumar Yadav for the major part of the chase. After his dismissal, there was a brief scare that got Kings back in to the game. But handy cameos from Krunal Pandya and Rohit Sharma ensured that MI live another day in the competition.

Earlier in the game, the Mumbai Indians had won the toss and had opted to field first. The Kings XI Punjab got off to yet another impressive opening start this season with KL Rahul and Chris Gayle adding 54 runs for the first wicket. The partnership was broken in the 7th over by Mayank Markande who dismissed Rahul on 24. Yuvraj Singh was promoted to number three spot to join Gayle at the crease.

Yuvraj’s stay at the crease was largely unimpressive as he could add only 14 runs. Meanwhile, Gayle continued his sublime form and hit 50 off 40 deliveries before getting out in the 12th over. Karun Nair (23) and Marcus Stoinis (29*) played handy cameos for the hosts amidst constant fall of wickets. The Kings could eventually muster a decent 174/6 on the board in ther stipulated 20 overs.

In the run chase, Mumbai lost Evin Lewis cheaply in the powerplay. But it was the in-form batter Suryakumar Yadav who anchored the innings very well with his timely 57 off 42 deliveries. He found good support from Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya in the middle overs. Towards the end, Krunal Pandya emerged as the savior for the side with a quick unbeaten 31 off just 12 balls to his name. He ensured that MI finished the game with 6 wickets in hand.

Here is how the fans reacted to the match:

Krunal Pandya is the player Dhoni wants Ravindra Jadeja to become.

— Clive (@vanillawallah) May 4, 2018

Rohit Sharma has remained not out 17 times when chasing in IPL and his teams have won every time – 4 times for Deccan Chargers and 13 times for Mumbai Indians. #KXIPvMI

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 4, 2018

I hope this turns out to be the season that convinces the Indian selectors about Krunal Pandya's potential as a team India material. #KXIPvMI #IPL2018

— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) May 4, 2018

Krunal Pandya is a good T20 package and definitely deserve a chance for national call up.. #KXIPvMI @mipaltan @krunalpandya24

— Arunraj R (@iArunraj) May 4, 2018

Krunal Pandya smashed MI to victory..

4, 0, 0, 1, 1, 4, 4, 6, 4, 6, 1, 4, 4lb

31 Runs in 12 Balls

— Pintumeena (@Pintumeena9) May 4, 2018

Krunal Pandya's Job Is To Compensate For The Runs Given Up By His Brother Hardik Pandya. He's Doing The Job Pretty Well. ? #KXIPvMI #KXIPvsMI

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) May 4, 2018

Tbh that Hardik Pandya cameo brought us into the match and Krunal Pandya applied the finishing touch. Need Rohit to either open or come at 3 now….

— Pranav (@praaanaaav) May 4, 2018

Krunal Pandya Like A Responsible Elder Brother Making Up For The 22 Runs His Brother Gave Away In The Last Over. #MIvsKXIP #pandya

— Ryan Monthero (@ryanmonthero7) May 4, 2018

Brilliant partnership between Rohit Sharma and Krunal Pandya to take MI to the much-needed victory. #IPL

— Abhishek Baxi (@baxiabhishek) May 4, 2018

King RO in this IPL
In Wins : 94, 56*, 24* (174 runs @ 174)
In losses : 15, 11, 18, 0, 2, 0 (46 runs @ 7.66)#MatchWinner #KXIPvMI

— Jasveer Singh Kharra (@imjsk27) May 4, 2018

Mumbai Indians fans right now. #KXIPvMI pic.twitter.com/XjXRT9st0N

— The Unique Idiot (@TheUniqueIdiot) May 4, 2018

Most time remained not-out in successful chases in IPL:

19 – Ravindra Jadeja
18 – Yusuf Pathan
17 – ROHIT SHARMA*
16 – Gautam Gambhir
16 – MS Dhoni
15 – Suresh Raina
15 – Dwayne Bravo #KXIPvMI

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) May 4, 2018

Congrats on the WIN @ImRo45 & @mipaltan !!! Well Played @krunalpandya24 @surya_14kumar #KXIPvMI

— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) May 4, 2018

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