Parthiv Patel powers Mumbai win over Punjab

A quick fire 58-ball 81 from Parthiv Patel helped Mumbai register their third win in the Indian Twenty20 competition, as they beat Punjab by 25 runs in Mohali on Monday.

Patel had managed just 73 runs in his last five innings for Mumbai and he needed to find runs to secure his place in the side, given that New Zealand opener Martin Guptill was on the side lines. Punjab drafted Mitchell Johnson and Pardeep Sahu into their team in their hunt for their second win of the competition.

Captain David Miller opted to bowl first, given that his side "had good success in the past while chasing". Punjab's fast bowler, Sandeep Sharma, stuck early and dismissed Mumbai's mainstay Rohit Sharma from the second ball of the innings.

With Sharma back early, Mumbai looked to Patel and Ambati Rayadu to steady the innings and they did, with a 137-run stand for the second wicket. Patel provided the early fireworks and thumped Mitchell Johnson for two boundaries in the second over of the match.

The left hander had his share of luck as he picked out deep backward square leg off a no-ball on 15. He then struck the next ball - a free hit - to David Miller at midwicket. He then survived a close stumping chance in the tenth over and was then dropped at mid-off on 66.

The wicketkeeper-batsman made the most of the missed chances in the field and he cut loose after bringing up his half-century off 41 balls. He first clobbered Mohit Sharma for two fours in the 13th over and then repeated the dose in 14th over.

Rayadu's departure in the 15th over brought Jos Buttler to the fore. The Buttler-Patel duo added 37 from just 3.2 overs. The onslaught helped Mumbai post an impressive 189 in their innings.

Punjab's powerful middle order, comprising of Miller, Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell found runs, but they failed to guide their side home, as Punjab managed just 164 in reply.

"Very important for me, on a personal point of view as well," Patel said. "Wicket was dry, we decided that one of us would play till the 15-16th over. Important to carry on the momentum."

Sharma echoed Patel's sentiment. "The stand between Parthiv and Rayudu set the game for us. Really happy with the way we batted. We always knew someone or the other would have to put up his hand and set the game for us (bowlers). All games from here are important for us."