Kings XI Punjab made a blazing start, had a wobble in the middle overs against spin before skipper George Bailey's well-paced unbeaten half century helped them score a challenging total of 177 for 5 against Mumbai Indians in their IPL cricket match here today.
After the flying start provided by Virender Sehwag, who made a typically belligerent 35 in 19 balls, and Murali Vijay's 36 in 29 balls (the duo putting on 60 in 40 balls), the visitors got bogged down against Harbhajan Singh (2/20) before Bailey struck meaty blows and bailed them out with a 32-ball 61 not out, studded with three sixes and four fours.
Bailey, who came in at the fall of the third wicket at 88 in the 11th over, put on 46 runs for the fourth wicket with David Miller (24), which was the other good partnership in the innings.
For Mumbai Indians, Harbhajan was the most impressive bowler with 2 for 20 as he got rid of both the openers. Lasith Malinga (2/34) and debutant Jagadeesha Suchith (1/41) were the other wickets takers while Vinay Kumar was the most expensive to finish with none for 46.
Put in to bat, Kings XI raced to 46 without loss after the first five overs, with both Vijay and Sehwag, who hit six fours and a six, wading into the bowling of Vinay Kumar to cart the Karnataka pacer to all parts of the ground.
Vijay, who struck six fours, started the carnage by smacking Kumar in the opening over for two leg-side fours before Sehwag hit the Ranji Trophy winning captain for a couple of fours, the first a lucky one off the inside edge, and a flicked six with nonchalance.
Pawan Suyal, included in the side in place of Jasprit Bumrah who did not impress in the team's lung opener against title holders Kolkata Knight Riders on April 8, kept things quiet at the other end.
Sehwag then struck Lasith Malinga, who replaced Kumar -- after the latter's expensive 3-over spell for 35 runs -- for two successive fours to help the Punjab side to race past the 50 run mark.
