Live Blog - Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians, Match 9, IPL 2019

KXIP clinch eight-wicket win

Convincing win at the end. KXIP begin their home campaign of IPL 2019 with a dominant win over the three-time champs. KL Rahul finishes with an unbeaten 71 off 57 after all those struggles at the start. They've won this with eight balls to spare and that should give them a massive injection of confidence.

As for Mumbai, they're 1 in 3 now and rumbles of a slow start are bound to do the rounds yet again. Much to ponder for Rohit Sharma, particularly with that middle-overs batting. Pollard, Yuvraj, Suryakumar have to buck up!

We have another match coming up where DC have made a host of changes and opted to field against KKR. Switch tabs to catch that. Until next time, ta-ta!

45-ball 50 for KL Rahul

He was angry with himself on a couple of occasions this innings but he has fought hard. Thankfully for him, his partners, Gayle and Mayank batted positively alowing Rahul to take his time. He's found his mojo at last. Now the boundaries are flowing!

Hardik releases the pressure

Concedes 19 in an over and more importantly gets his good mate KL Rahul off the hook with a couple of easy balls. A back of length delivery allows Rahul to free his arms and launch a six over extra cover. That is followed by a coupe of wides and a full delivery that is carved for four. Hardik ends it with a rank loosener down legside to Miller, who clips it fine for another four.

37 to win off 30

A second for Krunal

And another timely wicket. Mayank Agarwal was looking very dangerous, especially in the backdrop of a struggling KL Rahul. Mayank's ploy to hit straight, though, has brought his downfall as he picks a rather short ball to punch down the ground and hits it straight back to the bowler, who takes a smart catch.

Mayank gone for 43 off 20. KXIP need 56 off 36.

A brisk Mayank start

With KL Rahul struggling to get a move on, it was imperative for the new batsman to take up Gayle's mantle immediately and Mayank Agarwal has done just that. Two fours off Markande and another off Krunal has taken him to 18 off 7.

But he's had his heart in the mouth moment while at the non-striker's end with Krunal Pandya pulling out of his run-up, presumably to warn Mayank who had taken a couple of steps out of his crease. We haven't seen a replay of this yet!

Out attempting six no. 303

This Krunal Pandya ball was in the Gayle zone of hitting but the big man can't find the middle of the bat with his heave. The toe end falls into Hardik Pandya's palms, who breaks into an ecstatic jig. He'd been belted for two sixes by the Jamaican in the last over!

A risky move pays off immediately for Rohit Sharma. Bowling a left-arm spinner to Gayle is laden with risks. But Krunal bowled this a touch wide, forcing Gayle into over-hitting.