It was a game that could not get a winner after 43 overs of play, but ultimately Kings XI Punjab won in a historic second Super Over at the 2020 Dream11 Indian Premier League against Mumbai Indians. A thrilling contest that swung both ways for major chunks of the game at the Dubai International Stadium was ultiamtely decided by an exceptional boundary save and a couple of boundary shots from Mayank Agarwal.

Fielding first yet again, KXIP’s bowlers made a positive start to the evening as they restricted the in-form Mumbai Indians openers to just 24 runs in the first three overs. Alongside being economical, Arshdeep Singh sent the MI skipper Rohit Sharma packing in his first over- with an in-swinger which was dragged back onto the stumps.

Things got better for Punjab, as new man Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed without scoring- caught at mid-wicket off Mohammed Shami’s bowling. KXIP managed another wicket before the powerplay ended, as a leading edge of Ishan Kishan’s bat fell kindly to Murugan Ashwin at third man.

The bowling side continued to keep things tight post the powerplay as well, as the Mumbai batsmen managed a solitary four and and six in the next three overs, with Glenn Maxwell bowling out a thrifty spell of none for 24.

Krunal Pandya though switched gears in the 10th over, as he welcomed Murugan into the attack with two fours on the off-side. De Kock too went on the attack, hitting Deepak Hooda for a big six on the leg side. Murugan’s second over also proved expensive, as Krunal got another couple of boundaries. That however was to be the last hurrah for the southpaw, as he was out caught at square leg the next time he went for a big shot, leaving his side at 102/14 after 14 overs.

De Kock continued to power through the KXIP bowlers, getting a four and a six in the next over to get to his second consecutive fifty for IPL 2020. Hardik Pandya at the other end though couldn’t get his act going, as a short ball from Shami got the better of him. The well set de Kock too departed in the next over, as a cutter from Chris Jordan tempted the opener to play the big shot, only to find the mid-wicket fielder.

Kieron Pollard though disrupted KXIP’s good run of play, as he pummeled Arshdeep for two sixes down the ground. Nathan Coulter-Nile also joined in the act, getting two fours in the same over to push the score to 144/6 after 18. Mumbai Indians finished the innings strong, as the final two overs yielded 32 runs, helping the franchise finish strong at 176/6.

Turning Point

It proved to be a game of fine margins after all, as Mayank Agarwal’s boundary saving effort in the Second Over helped his franchise win on the night.

In reply, KXIP’s openers started cautiously, getting to 13 wicket loss after two overs. In the third over though KL Rahul freed his arms, pummelling Trent Boult for three fours and a six to take the scoring rate to more than 10 an over.

Rahul’s partner Mayank Agarwal though couldn’t get a big score on the day, as he was knocked over by Jasprit Bumrah in his first over. The wicket didn’t deter KXIP’s chase, as new man Chris Gayle smoked Coulter-Nile for a massive six down the ground. Rahul too continued to play aggressively, getting a six and a four of the final powerplay over to push the score to 51/1.

The Universe Boss continued to impress post the powerplay, with a six off Pollard and a four off Rahul Chahar to keep the asking rate in check. Gayle however couldn’t convert his start into a big score this time, as Chahar came back strong with a widish delivery that tempted the Jamaican player into a rash shot. New man Nicholas Pooran continued from where his countryman had left, getting a six and a four to spoil that Chahar over.

Pooran kept his shots going, with a four and a six off Pollard’s over, to get the team score past a 100. The southpaw’s cameo though was cut short by a short ball from Bumrah, leaving KXIP at 108/3 after 13 overs. Things got worse for Punjab, as new man Glenn Maxwell was sent back without scoring- caught at first slip.

Captain Punjab however was looking solid for the chasing side, as he ensured the asking rate didn’t get out of control. At the other end, Deepak Hooda also showed his prowess as he pulled Bumrah for a six of the final delivery of the 16th over. Rahul started the next over in some style, getting two doubles and a four to get the equation down to nine an over.

Rahul however couldn’t finish the innings on this occasion, as a pinpoint yorker from Bumrah sent his packing after scoring 77. The economical over from the Indian quick meant that KXIP needed 22 of the final two overs.

KXIP got two squeaky boundaries of the next over, to keep themselves in the chase, needing nine of the final over. Chris Jordan got another fortuitous boundary towards fine leg, leaving the equation at a run a ball. Needing two of the final ball, Jordan was unable to complete the second run, forcing the match into a Super Over.

Super Over

Nicholas Pooran’s misfortunes continued in the Super Over, as he was dismissed for a duck. Jasprit Bumrah was clinical with his yorkers, making it very difficult for KXIP’s batters to get going, giving his franchise a target of six runs.

In reply, Mohammed Shami took a leaf out of Bumrah’s books to pepper the Mumbai openers with yorkers, to leave them needing two of the final delivery. In the final ball, de Kock couldn’t complete the second run, forcing the game into an unbelievable second Super Over.

Kieron Pollard started the second Super Over confidently, getting a four through the covers off Chris Jordan’s over. The next ball though forced a run out, as Hardik Pandya tried a suicidal second run. The final ball saw Agarwal make a spectacular save in the boundary, avoiding a six to give his franchise needing 12 to win in this second over.

In response, Chris Gayle started off with a six down the wicket, putting Punjab in pole position. His partner in crime Mayank Agarwal got a four on the third ball, leaving KXIP needing just one more to win. The 29-year-old casually hit another four on the leg side, to give his franchise a well deserved victory and keep them alive in the competition.

Kings XI Punjab play their next game against Delhi Capitals on October 20.