PBKS vs MI Highlights, IPL 2024: 3 moments that generated buzz among fans in Match 33

The Mumbai Indians (MI) secured a tense nine-run win over the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) clash in Mullanpur on Thursday, April 18.

PBKS stand-in skipper Sam Curran put MI into bat first after winning the toss. The home side got the early breakthrough by dismissing Ishan Kishan in the second over itself.

Rohit Sharma, in his 250th IPL appearance, played a start-stop innings, but was involved in an important second-wicket partnership with Suryakumar Yadav. While The Hitman perished for 36 runs, Suryakumar Yadav continued after taking his time to settle on the slow and low wicket.

MI had a brief spell without any boundaries, but they switched gears after that with Suryakumar Yadav reaching his second fifty in four matches. Tilak Varma also got into the act and stayed till the end to help MI post 192 on the board.

In reply, PBKS made a forgettable start in their run chase. The new opening combination of Sam Curran and Prabhsimran Singh could not get the team off to a good start as the MI pacers ran riot with the new ball.

PBKS were reduced to 14-4 in the third over with Curran, Prabhsimran, Rilee Rossouw, and Liam Livingstone all walking back to the pavilion. They slumped to 77-6 in the tenth over, and it looked like MI would walk back with a heavy win under their belts.

Ashutosh Sharma, however, had other plans. The explosive batter, who has already made a strong impression with his cameos in IPL 2024 so far, went one step beyond this time around to truly announce himself. The 23-year-old carved the MI bowling unit apart in the second half of the innings. He scored 61 runs off just 28 deliveries, but was dismissed in the 18th over.

MI kept their nerve after PBKS' tail showed some fight. However, in the end, the home side had to accept their third defeat on the trot.

On that note, let us take a look at three moments that generated buzz among fans during the PBKS vs MI contest in IPL 2024.

#1 Cameraman and Sam Curran focusing on the coin toss result

Match referee Javagal Srinath's coin-flipping act during the MI vs RCB encounter made a huge stir, so much so that it was even potentially discussed between RCB skipper Faf du Plessis and SRH skipper Pat Cummins during their next encounter.

To put a rest to the coin toss fixing allegations, Sam Curran walked onto the pitch after flipping the coin to check the result with his own eyes. The cameraman too focused his lens right on the coin after it landed for the viewers' satisfaction.

#2 Ishan Kishan's stunning catch

Although he could not contribute much with the bat, Ishan Kishan was highly influential with the gloves in the second innings.

MI pacer Gerald Coetzee was handed the new ball and made an erratic start. He conceded nine runs off one ball, and bowled a wayward ball to Prabhsimran Singh in the third delivery of the over.

The right-handed batter could not make the most of the ball on the leg stump line. His wild swipe at the ball only made contact with the inside edge. The pace might have helped carry the ball towards the boundary, but Ishan Kishan had other plans. The wicket-keeper dove full length towards his left and completed the catch to give MI the early breakthrough.

The pitch aided the pacers early on, which Bumrah and Coetzee took full advantage of. However, the speedsters bowled the odd wayward delivery, which was well-pouched by Kishan behind the stumps to avoid any unnecessary extras.

#3 Ashutosh Sharma sweep off Bumrah and other wide array of strokes

Ashutosh Sharma's brilliant knock down the order was the biggest highlight of the match. The uncapped player gave the five-time champions a major fright with his unforgiving hitting all over the park.

He seemed undeterred by the situation where PBKS were on the ropes. With a climbing required rate and hardly any wickets remaining, Ashutosh just played his natural game which helped PBKS come within touching distance of victory.

His knock, which came at a strike rate of 217.86, included seven brilliant sixes, some of which were literally jaw-dropping. His second and third sixes were glorious helicopter shots off Romario Shepherd and Hardik Pandya.

He also capitalized on a rare free hit from Jasprit Bumrah as he swept the speedster over the ropes through the leg side. The shot of the night, which was also Ashutosh's last six of the innings, came in the form of an exceptional reverse scoop over third man against Akash Madhwal.