Punjab’s 214 for three with the innings of Livingstone, Sharma

Newcomer Jitesh Sharma played well with Liam Livingstone and the duo took Punjab Kings to 214 for three in their IPL match against Mumbai Indians on Wednesday. Livingstone completed his first half-century of the season in 32 balls and remained unbeaten on 82 off 42 balls with the help of seven fours and four sixes. Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to bowl in his 200th match for Mumbai. Punjab’s wicketkeeper Sharma scored an unbeaten 49 off 27 balls.

Both added 119 runs in just 56 balls in an unbroken fourth wicket partnership. Livingstone hit his England teammate Joffra Archer for three consecutive sixes in the 19th over. Sharma did not spare anyone, spinner Piyush Chawla or fast bowler Archer. He hit five fours and two sixes in his innings. Archer gave 56 runs in his four overs and did not get any wicket. Mumbai gave 115 runs in the last 48 balls and for the fourth time in a row a team has scored more than 200 runs against them.

At one point Punjab’s score was 99 for three in 12 overs. Both took 21 runs in the 13th over by thrashing Archer fiercely. Archer, who returned from injury, was not in rhythm at all. After this Sharma also brought him a four. Chawla took the wickets of Shikhar Dhawan (30) and Matthew Short (27). Dhawan got a life on 23 but he could not take advantage of it. In the next ball, he again lost the wicket in an attempt to play a high shot.