IPL-2014 7th Season Lendl Simmons first century for this season walked in with a strike-rate of 115. It would have been adequate considering Mumbai Indians' target was a relatively unchallenging 157. Mumbai's chances at a playoff spot not only depended on wins in every match they play. Lifting Mumbai to as high as 5th in the table.
Mumbai wavered from their course as the need to gain points on run-rate took a backseat to Simmons' landmark. Once the necessary single was taken calmly through square leg, Pollard immediately slammed the final ball of the 18th over into the crowd beyond long-on.
Simmons drew impressive power from swift hands and a steady base. The cut was a frequent source of boundaries as he accounted for 55 of the opening partnership's 68.
The target seemed set to be far steeper in the wake of Virender Sehwag employing his see-ball-hit-ball-forget-about-feet method with telling effect. He had taken Kings XI to 23 after 2 overs, but a freak run-out gone Sehwag ruing another start not capitalized on.
There were cracks on the Mohali pitch, but initial waywardness from Shreyas Gopal and Pragyan Ojha cost 51 in four overs. With their most potent weapon, Glenn Maxwell, still in the shed, Kings XI was primed for another assault.
But as had happened in the previous encounter between the two sides, the middle order was stymied and then sent back. Krishmar Santokie broke the 64-run stand for the 2nd wicket as Marsh holed out. Gopal's leg spin was persisted with and the gamble proved dividends as Vohra and Glenn Maxwell were pried out.
A slow pitch and a sudden dearth of big-hitters pushed Kings XI into a prolonged state of caution. Noticeable speeding up took as late as the 18th over and George Bailey strove towards a score that might offer some fairness to their start. The eventual 156 did not, nor was it good enough.
Score Details
Kings XI-156/8(20)
Mumbai Indians-159/3(19)
Player of the match
Lendl Simmons
