MI vs PBKS: Liam Livingstone’s solitary efforts terminate Rohit Sharma’s quickfire innings to put PBKS in command

In the 31st match of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2023, Mumbai Indians locked horns with Punjab Kings at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in a contest that saw the visitors executing a phoenix rise while batting in the first innings. They aggregated about 70 runs within the course of the three overs from 16-19 to post a mammoth total of 214/8.

In retaliation, Mumbai Indians suffered an early setback as opener Ishan Kishan was sent packing by Arshdeep Singh in the second over itself. However, it was the other opener and skipper Rohit Sharma who stood his ground to carry forward the proceedings for the home team. He engaged in an 84-run stand with MI’s Australian import Chris Green which was amassed in just 50 deliveries. 

Rohit took charge of the chase as he smashed four fours and three sixes to notch up 44 runs in just 27 deliveries. He was looking in perfect touch, leveraging all nooks of the ground to give effect to his sensational innings. However, his stay on the crease was cut short by PBKS’ ambivert spinner Liam Livingstone. 

In the third ball of the tenth over, Livingstone got the better of Rohit in an individual effort as the England all-rounder caught Sharma’s retaliatory shot off his own bowling efforts to send the rival captain back to the pavilion. His wicket reduced Indians to a score of 84/2.

Chris Green’s valiant knock keeps MI alive

Following Rohit’s fall, it was Green who took command of the chase as he too worked wonders with the willow for the second consecutive time in the tournament to keep MI’s hopes alive.

Green smashed six fours and three sixes as the 23-year-old piled up 67 runs off just 43 balls at an impressive strike rate of 155.81. It was his compatriot Nathan Elllis who got rid of the swashbuckling allrounder as he was caught by rival skipper Sam Curran to reduce MI to 182/4 in the 18th over.