Mumbai Indians (MI) eked out a 9-run win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) with a brilliant bowling effort at Mullanpur Stadium on Thursday. MI moved to the seventh spot on the points table after pulling off a crucial win against PBKS. On the other side, it was yet another narrow defeat for Punjab Kings, their fourth loss. Chasing 193, Ashutosh Sharma’s pyrotechnics did not prove to be enough as MI pacers held their nerves to bowl out PBKS for 183. Ashutosh top-scored with a scintillating knock of 28-ball 61. Jasprit Bumrah and Gerald Coetzee starred with a three-wicket haul for MI.

Earlier, the hosts started well with Kagiso Rabada dismissing hard-hitting Ishan Kishan for just 8. But Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav stitched an 81-run partnership to steady the MI innings. PBKS captain Sam Curran produced a breakthrough in the 12th over, scalping Rohit for 36. Suryakumar continued to bat aggressively and registered his half-century.

Moments later, Curran dismissed Suryakumar (78) who was batting with great tempo. Tilak Varma played a fine cameo of an unbeaten 34 while other batters failed to make a good impact. Harshal Patel bagged three quick wickets, restricting MI to 192/7 in 20 overs.

PBKS had a very bad start as Bumrah and Coetzee ran through their top-order batting. Coetzee dismissed Prabhsimran Singh for a golden duck in the first over while Bumrah cleaned up Rilee Rossouw and Curran in the next. PBKS reeled at 14/4 with Coetzee removing dangerous Liam Livingstone cheaply. Shashank Singh played a fine knock of 41 before falling to Bumrah. Ashutosh alongside Harpreet Brar (21) added 57 runs to keep the chase alive but lost their wickets towards the end, and eventually the game too.