Pat Cummins hits joint-fastest IPL fifty to hand Mumbai Indians third consecutive defeat in IPL 2022

Pat Cummins started his Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 campaign in spectacular fashion as he hit the joint-fastest half-century in the league’s history. Cummins equalled Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul’s record of fastest fifty which he created in IPL 2018 against Delhi Capitals (DC). Australia’s Test skipper scored an unbeaten 56 off just 15 deliveries to get his team over the line with four overs to spare. The hard-hitting all-rounder hit 35 runs (including four sixes) from Daniel Sams’ over to finish off the run chase.

Venkatesh keeps it together

KKR's run chase did not get off to a good start either on a tricky Pune wicket. Ajinkya Rahane failed again and registered a single-digit score. Tymal Mills got his wicket in the fifth over. Shreyas Iyer tried to get the scoreboard moving but lost his wicket to Daniel Sams. Out-of-form Venkatesh Iyer held on to one end and anchored the innings. The left-handed opener tried to get a few partnerships going by Murugan Ashwin got the wickets of Sam Billings (17) and Nitish Rana (8) in the middle overs. Andre Russell looked dangerous in the beginning but Mills got his wicket before the death overs.

Cummins’ fiery blade

In the 14th over, Cummins came in to bat. He got on with the task at hand straight away by hitting the English pacer for a four and six. In the next over, he did the same to MI's bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. In the 16th over, Cummins looked to finish the game in a hurry. He hit Sams for four sixes and two fours. Sams bowled a no ball as well to give Cummins more chances to hit big shots. He got to his half-century from 14 deliveries. His monstrous hitting helped KKR register a massive five-wicket win which helped KKR get to the top of points table.

Horrendous start

Earlier, MI got off to a horrible start. Skipper Rohit got out after scoring just three runs from 12 deliveries in the powerplay overs. Rohit lost his wicket to Umesh Yadav for the fifth time in IPL history. In-form Ishan Kishan struggled too and could score just one boundary.

Baby AB on display

On-debut Dewald Brevis aka 'Baby AB' entertained the crowd with few big shots. Brevis lived upto his nickname as he scored 29 runs from 19 deliveries. The South Africa Under-19 batter hit two fours and two sixes in his cameo. On the other end, Kishan continued to strunggle. Cummins ended Kishan's innings in the 11th over. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 14 runs from 21 deliveries.

Surya, Pollard finish well

Suryakumar Yadav returned to the side after injury and helped MI recover from a poor start. He had support from in-form Tilak Varma. Suryakumar scored 52 off 36 deliveries including five fours and two sixes. Suryakumar got out to Cummins in the final over. However, Kieron Pollard finished in style with 22 runs from just five deliveries including three sixes. On the other end, Tilak Varma remained unbeaten for 38 off 27 deliveries to help MI post 161/4. Cummins took a couple of wickets but the last-over hitting by Pollard spoiled his bowling figures.