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After three consecutive losses, Punjab Kings (PBKS) finally tasted victory against the Mumbai Indians (MI) on Friday. Thanks to great performances by skipper KL Rahul and Chris Gayle, the Punjab side got an easy win by nine wickets. Soon, social media was abuzz with memes, with fans celebrating PBKS’ “unexpected” victory and slamming MI for their poor performance.
Winning the toss at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Rahul opted to bowl. Batting first, MI got off to a rocky start losing early wickets, and failing to build a steady partnership to put up a big score for the chase. Wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock lost his wicket in the second over only to Deepak Hooda. Ishan Kishan walked in to bat at number three, but was sent back in the seventh over. However, thanks to skipper Rohit Sharma’s 63 runs off 52 deliveries, along with Suryakumar Yadav’s crucial 33 runs, MI managed to set a total of 131 in 20 overs.Chasing 132 runs, the Punjab team showed confidence as captain Rahul and Mayank Agarwal together dominated against MI bowlers. Although Rahul Chahar tried to create pressure by dismissing Agarwal in the eighth over after scoring just 25 runs, the Mumbai team couldn’t shake PBKS to secure a win.
Coming in at number three, Gayle enthralled viewers with some classic shots scoring 43 off 35 to help them register their second win in the tournament. With this, while MI stands in fourth position in the IPL points table, PBKS is now at fifth.
From Rohit Sharma being dubbed as a “lone fighter” to fans expressing disappointment in the pitch condition, here’s what got everyone talking online.
IPL 14: Preity Zinta delighted after KL Rahul-led PBKS beat MI. Photo | IPL
The Punjab Kings (PBKS), earlier known as the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), have been the underachievers in IPL history. Playing only one final so far, in 2014, and yet not winning the elusive trophy for even once in 13 editions, Punjab have not lived up to expectations despite having some big names in their arsenal since the tournament's inception.
Franchise co-owner and Bollywood's veteran actress Preity Zinta has always turned up as a spectator for the team, cheering from the stands and showcasing her emotions. While Zinta is in quarantine at present, she is keenly following the PBKS' journey in IPL 2021 edition. After KL Rahul-led PBKS thrashed the defending champions Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians (MI) in match 17 on Friday (April 23), to return to winning ways following three successive defeats, Zinta took to her official Twitter handle to share her happiness.
