Mumbai enjoy a luxury in the form of plenty of experienced and proven domestic players, something Punjab can only dream of, and to such an extent that they announced just 3 overseas players in their team at the toss. Harbajahn won it, beating Hussey to first use of an immaculate wicket that looked great for run scoring. Punjab were going have to be extremely disciplined with the ball if they were going to stay in the game and they got off to a really good start. Kumar bowled an exceptional maiden first up, swinging it away from newly promoted opener Franklin who could barely even get bat on ball. 11 runs were scored from the first 3 overs, as the returning Tendulkar and Franklin took a few more risks to take their side to 39/0 at the end of the powerplay, from which point the game could have gone either way. Crucially, KXIP managed to take 2 wickets on quick succession to get into the ascendancy, Tendulkar run out by some terrific work from Miller on the boundary, whose fielding was brilliant all innings, and Sharma fell to a loose drive from Awana and at the half way mark MI were at 58/2, plenty of work to do. Dinesh Karthik, a reliable player that I think has been underused by Mumbai thus far, played a really busy knock to kick start the innings alongside his Kiwi partner. Their partnership of 77 from just 6 overs looked set to launch Mumbai towards a really big total, Punjab fed Franklin's favourite shot as he struck some massive blows over wide long on and Karthik played intelligently into the gaps and ran hard to put their side well on top going into the last 5 at 129/2.
Punjab had been magnificent in the field all day, led by Miller and Hussey, and it was fitting that a run out turned the game back in their favour, a misunderstanding cost Karthik (35 from 20) and this wicket completely halted Mumbai's push. The remaining batsmen all struggled to get going and despite Franklin's best efforts (79 from 51) could only post a par score of 163/6, the last 5 overs going for just 34 runs. Punjab came back nicely to keep themselves in it at the half way point and they had a couple of their most impressive performers this year to to thank. Awana bowled intelligently at the death, having learnt from last time, and suprised Pollard with some good pace, taking 2-23 from his 4 overs. Mumbai knew the main threat was Chawla (4-0-19-0) and they played him out without taking risks, the pressure that Chawla created led to a couple of run outs from his bowling, exceptional control from a leg spinner. KXIP would have been thrilled to have kept Mumbai down to 163, they fielded excellently and deserved their success.
I was a neutral in this match but this all changed when Punjab came out to bat. Munaf Patel, someone I'm really not a fan of, was intent on imposing himself on the young Punjab players and thought the best way to do this was to get in the batsman's face, following them down the pitch and shouting at them and anyone he could see. He's a proven international player and why he feels the need to do this to a couple of domestic youngsters who probably look up to him I do not know, for that reason I really enjoyed seeing him go wicketless for his 4 overs and hit for more than 10 an over! Mandeep Singh (24 from 21) and Saini (30 from 25) put on 48 for the first wicket and hit some attractive boundaries over the off side, a stable opening partnership is what has eluded KXIP all season and for the first time Marsh was able to come in when a platform had been set for him. Marsh, who has been the key player for Punjab over the last 5 seasons, played an absolute gem of an innings. Most lefties seem to have a touch of elegance about them and Marsh is certainly in this category, even his big hits over the leg side looked classy and he continued to find the middle of the bat to put Mumbai under the pump. Hussey did well alongside him for a period but he fell with the match still in the balance, at 119/3 and still needing 45 at around 10 an over. It was Pollard who sent back Hussey in a cracking 16th over that went for just 1 run to complete a great spell of 4-0-14-2, full of clever changes of pace. However, Ojha undid this hard work as his next over went for 14 runs including 5 wides that gave Punjab the initiative and Marsh (68* from 40) finished it off in the last couple of overs, smashing sixes either side of the wicket to seal it in the final over and complete a MoM performance with the bat.
It was a brilliant result for Punjab that few would have predicted and you always got the sense that they play as more of a team than Mumbai, who in contrast seem like plenty of big names playing for themselves. Their fielding display was faultless and all the diving stops were greeted with pats on backs and plenty of clapping, always the sign of a happy dressing room. Mumbai don't do themselves any favours at the moment, not the first time they've had disciplinary issues (Munaf always involved) and with a squad like theirs they need to climb that table and fast, Malinga is a huge loss and they'll want him back as soon as possible. A top innings from Marsh, who looks back at his best which is so crucial to KXIP's fortunes, as well as a good first half display from fielders and bowlers alike.
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