Hyderabad: Kings XI Punjab, who needed two Super Overs to defeat Mumbai Indians for their third win, remained in contention for playoffs with six points. However, the tight match entered the record books for being the only game to go into two Super Overs.
Kings XI Punjab managed just five runs in the first Super Over and looked out of the game. However, Mohammed Shami produced a brilliant over to defend the six-run target. And Chris Jordan, who bowled the second Super Over, said Shami’s over gave them the belief. “After our Super Over batting, it was easy for us to drop our head but the game is not over until it is over. The way Shami bowled that over to defend six runs was tremendous. I genuinely felt the sense of belief in the group. When he defended those runs, we felt the momentum swung back in our way and luckily I could bowl a decent over and our batters did it,” said the English bowler.
He also felt that this win could well be the turning point for them in the tournament. “I would like to think this could be the turning point. The way we played games, we could have won many more. But the team has shown a lot of faith in the group and the camaraderie shown and team spirit was second to none. We want some luck to go in our way but can’t rest on it. Today’s game was a close one and happy to be on the winning side.”
Meanwhile, Kieron Pollard, who helped Mumbai Indians post a decent total with a 12-ball 34, said that they would go back and analyse the game to come back stronger in the next games. “We played a very good game of cricket. To get to 170 odd runs from nowhere was very good. They (Kings XI Punjab) were batting pretty good and the match would have been over in 18th over. But we hung in there and took it to Super Over. But we are used to winning games and we will come back stronger,” he said.
When asked about Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock batting in the first Super Over, he said “With just seven needed from one over, they went in to bat. They are international players with good reputation. But in the end, it didn’t work.” He also lauded Jasprit Bumrah, who was exceptional for them. “Yes, having someone like him in the side is great. He has been a world class bowler for some time. He has learnt a lot and gone leaps and bounds for us at MI. We have that comfort with him. We had Lasith Malinga for us for a few years and now Bumrah has taken over the mantle,” he concluded.
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