Punjab Kings skipper KL Rahul revealed why spinner Ravi Bishnoi was benched for the first few games of the season. PBKS finally ended their 3-match losing run against Mumbai Indians at Chennai. The side defeated defending champions Mumbai Indians by 9 wickets. After winning the toss and deciding to field first, Punjab Kings did nothing wrong in the game as Mumbai Indians lost their second consecutive match on the trot. Rohit Sharma and Co. have now lost 3 of their 5 games so far in the ongoing 14th IPL season.
Ravi Bishnoi had performed brilliantly for the Punjab Kings in the 13th season of the Indian Premier League as well. However, the Mohali-based franchise decided not to include the youngster in the initial games of this season. KL Rahul revealed at the post-match presentation that the team wanted to change a few things in Bishnoi’s bowling. This was the only reason why the spinner was warming the bench in the first few games.
KL Rahul was named player of the match
The Punjab Kings bowlers brought their best game to the table against the five-time IPL Champions, Mumbai Indians. Ravi Bishnoi, who played his first match of the 14th season, bowled an impressive spell of 2/21. On a slow and sticky Chennai pitch, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, KL Rahul, and Chris Gayle found the perfect blend to hand the Punjab Kings their 2nd win of the tournament.
PBKS skipper KL Rahul won the player of the match award for yet another fantastic show with the willow. Suryakumar Yadav's cameo of 33 runs helped the team put up a decent score, but it wasn't enough for Mumbai to win the match. Mohammed Shami and Ravi Bishnoi claimed two scalps each. The duo refused to give away any runs owing to their tight bowling show.
While looking at the below-par score, the opening pair of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal started on a positive note. Rahul played a brilliant inning by smashing 60* off 52 deliveries. He was supported well enough by legendary batsman Chris Gayle (43 off 35). Apart from the average batting show, Mumbai continued their average performance with the ball as well. MI's ace spinner Rahul Chahal could just manage to pick up one wicket. Mumbai Indians have dropped down to 4th position, whereas PBKS moved up to 5th spot on the points table after the match.