Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has lambasted the Kings XI Punjab management for their decision to play against Mumbai Indians in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. MI left PBKS batsmen reeling as they chased a target of 193 runs. The pace combination of Jasprit Bumrah and Gerald Coetzee played an important role in the PBKS opening batsman’s brief spell to reduce PBKS to 77/ 6. Sam Curran opened the innings for the hosts in the absence of designated captain Shikhar Dhawan and opener Jonny Bairstow. (IPL 2024 Points Table)

Liam Livingstone advanced and sent fourth in the order after Punjab lost three wickets in the blink of an eye.

The decision of the PBKS management did not go well with Harbhajan as he slammed the management for the decision.

“What’s the point of having Sam Curran open? Prabhsimran got off while trying to pull the ball. I can understand that both players got out on less dangerous passes . And then the delivery that got Rilee Rossouw out was sensational. But then you put Livingstone in as a batsman, in a finisher role, and he batted at number six whenever he was captain. , because he plays the role of a terminator,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.

The Indian duo of Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma, who have not played for the national team, has given rise to hopes of an unprecedented comeback after the top-order batsman failed to make his mark.

Shashank hit 41 off 25 balls while Ashutosh made 61 off 28 balls to take the game deep.

“We have to thank Shashank and Ashutosh. I want to understand how this management works. They put Livingstone in the batting order, a player who was in good form, and Shashank was subsequently sent out. You are in He has fielded Harpreet Bhatia earlier. If you have brought him then you should wait. Shashank is in good form and he has given match-winning performances. If Sahshank and Ashutosh are not there, PBKS will fall. 100 before. Ashutosh is in good form and he should be promoted up the batting order,” he added.

Looking back at the game, the impactful spells of star pacers Jasprit Bumrah (3/21) and Gerald Coetzee (3/32), as well as Su Surya Kumar Yadav’s brilliant 78-run knock helped Mumbai Indians beat Kings XI Punjab by 9 runs.

MI survived an unprecedented blitz by Ashutosh (61 off 28 games) after Suryakumar Yadav’s 78-run knock helped the visitors post a win of 192/7.

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