Rahul and Gayle power Punjab Kings to streak-ending win
Punjab Kings won for the first time in four games in the IPL as KL Rahul and Chris Gayle ensured they coasted through a routine chase.
KL Rahul and Chris Gayle powered Punjab Kings to a much-needed victory as they ended a three-game losing streak in the Indian Premier League in emphatic fashion against Mumbai Indians.
On the receiving end of significant margins in each of their previous defeats, the Kings turned the tables in style to surge to a nine-wicket triumph through a superb performance with bat and ball.
Despite a fine 63 from Rohit Sharma, Mumbai could only manage 131-6 as Mohammed Shami and young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi kept them in check.
Captain Rahul and Gayle then made short work of the target of 132, with Kings losing only one wicket in the process and reaching the finishing line with 14 balls to spare.
Rahul hit three fours and as many sixes in an unbeaten 60, while Gayle struck 43 off 35 balls as their partnership of 79 inspired the Kings.
Having already produced scores of 91 and 61 in this season's competition, Rahul laid the platform for a routine chase with a first-wicket stand of 53 with Mayank Agarwal.
Agarwal lofted Rahul Chahar to long-on as he was dismissed for 25, but the arrival of Gayle only served to help the Kings hit the accelerator.
His and Rahul's stand ensured there was never any doubt of them chasing a modest total, Mumbai having failed to offer Rohit sufficient support during their innings.
Rohit helped Mumbai to recover from 26-2 to 105-2 as he and Suryakumar Yadav (33 off 27) steadied the ship.
However, Suryakumar top-edged Bishnoi to Gayle at short third man to start the 16th over and Rohit soon followed in being dismissed when he fired a low full toss from Shami straight to deep square.
Kieron Pollard (16 not out off 12) provided an efficient cameo, but both Hardik (1) and Krunal Pandya (3) failed to get going as Mumbai limped to the finish to give the Kings a straightforward task.
Gayle gets it right
Since a 40 in his opening appearance against the Rajasthan Royals, Gayle had struggled for form, failing to score more than 15 in his last three games. But the 'Universe Boss' was back to his bludgeoning best on Friday, making the kind of decisive impact that has made him one of the best limited-overs players ever.
Bishnoi's brilliant debut
Making his first appearance of the IPL season for the Kings, Bishnoi produced an instrumental performance. He matched Shami with figures of 2-21 but led the way with 10 dot balls to play a crucial role in frustrating Mumbai.
