Punjab snatch an unlikely win as Pune falter again

Unbeaten partnership of 128 runs between young David Miller and Mandeep Singh took Kings XI Punjab to an unlikely victory over Pune Warriors India after the latter set up a formidable 186-run target in the 29th match of the Indian Premier League 2013, being played in Mohali.

The home side looked down and out at 58/3 after losing Adam Gilchrist, Azhar Mahmood and Manan Vohra. Pune bowlers, at that stage, looked right on top until Miller and Mandeep combined to string a match-winning partnership. Miller hit 5 hits to the fence and as many over it in his 80* off 41 balls while Mandeep in his 77 off 58 was more composed with 7 hits to the fence. (BCCI Image)

Pune were off to a strong start, albeit with a bit of favour from Punjab skipper Adam Gilchrist who dropped a sitter of Finch off Azhar Mahmood in the second over. Punjab had to bear the brunt of that miss as the Australian dasher hit Mahmood for a six and four in the same over. (BCCI Image)

While his partner was racing off, Robin Uthappa played steadily at the other end. After the first time-out, the team was 61/0 in 8 overs. (BCCI Image)

Finch lived a charmed life as Kings XI then gave him another chance. He was gone for all money had a throw hit the stumps with the batsman was still miles out, on 32.

Finch then proceeded to register his third fifty this season - in style with a six. He completed the milestone in 33 balls, hitting six 4's and a couple of sixes. Meanwhile, Yuvraj Singh, back after a niggle, started to open up and hit Chawla for a six and couple of fours. (BCCI Image)

63 runs after he was dropped by Gilchrist, Finch was removed by Manpreet Gony after he had struck 8 boundaries and 2 massive sixes. He tried to clear deep backward-point but Manan Vohra completed a neat catch. (BCCI Image)

Yuvraj then took it upon himself to guide his team and not let another 'collapse' happen. In the 17th over, Awana was hit for 14 runs as the dashing left-hander hit two characteristic hits across the boundary - one over deep mid-wicket and one straight as an arrow. (BCCI Image)

Mahmood then reaped rewards for his efforts - getting Yuvraj and Wright - but also went for quite a few runs in his 4 over. (BCCI Image)

Pune's 'new' skipper Aaron Finch's 64 and a brilliant 10-ball-34 cameo by Luke Wright powered Pune Warriors India to a formidable 185/4 against Kings XI Punjab in the 29th match of the Indian Premier League, being played in Mohali. (BCCI Image)

Praveen Kumar proved his worth and was the pick of the bowlers, till his final over which cost 20 runs. Parvinder Awana (1/38), Piyush Chawla (1/34) and Manpreet Gony (1/32) though were very expensive as Yuvraj Singh, Finch and Wright tore their attack apart. (BCCI Image - Awana, who took the wicket of Uthappa)

Pune had the confidence of 185 runs in hand and their bowlers started off in style to rattle Punjab early on. Adam Gilchrist, who had just hit a smashing pull for four off Bhuvneshwar Kumar, was dismissed trying to force way too much so early as keeper Uthappa took an easy catch. (BCCI Image)

Azhar Mahmood, promoted in the order, then followed his skipper into the pavilion as Ajantha Mendis struck off his very first delivery of the IPL 2013 season. The former Pakistan player did not trouble the scorers. (BCCI Image)

Youngsters Mandeep Singh and Manan Vohra then proceeded to steady the ship as well as counter-punch Pune bowling. Mandeep, who has been persisted with despite below-par performances, was particularly punishing to begin with. Vohra too gathered pace as Kings XI put up a brave face. (BCCI Image)

The pair added 53 in 5.3 overs before Yuvraj Singh was introduced into the attack. He immediately accounted for Vohra, who tried to hoist the wily left-arm orthodox bowler with a slog sweep, only to see his stumps rattled. Vohra made 22 off 13 balls with three hits to the fence. (BCCI Image)

David Miller, who was drafted back into the squad for Dimitri Mascarenhas, the joined the confident Punjab youngster and the pair immediately hit off. From 58/3 they took the team past Pune's total and in quick time too.

Miller was particularly aggressive as Mandeep held fort for Punjab. At the second time-out, the pair had added 83 in 9.2 overs. Miller had by then hit 3 hits to the fence and 3 hits across as the match began to get tense. (BCCI Image)