IPL 2023: Arshdeep Singh’s death over heroics the difference as PBKS defeat MI in a high-scoring thriller

In a game that saw both teams score above 200 at the batter’s paradise that is the Wankhede Stadium, it was ultimately one sensational death-bowling spell that proved to the difference.

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Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh emerged the hero as Punjab Kings won a high-scoring thriller against the Mumbai Indians in Match 31 of IPL 2023 on Saturday. Arshdeep grabbed 4 for 29 in what is one of the standout performances his nascent career so far, helping Punjab survive a spirited fightback from Mumbai and collect their fourth win of the season in seven matches.

Arshdeep’s stocks had steadily been rising in the IPL over the years and his consistency in the world’s biggest T20 league is what helped him break into the Indian team last year. And in the current season of the Indian Premier League, where he returns to the Punjab Kings lineup on the back of international success, Arshdeep appears to have taken his game a notch higher with the left-arm pacer from Guna, Madhya Pradesh having played a central role with the ball in two of their four wins so far.

A first innings total of 214 normally would have a team quite relaxed during the innings break. However, in a fast-paced format where miracles happen more often than one would assume possible, no team can afford to breath easy even with such a big score on the board, especially at a high-scoring venue like the Wankhede against a power-packed batting lineup such as Mumbai’s.

Arshdeep, though, ensured Punjab would start off on an ideal note as he got rid of in-form Mumbai opener Ishan Kishan off his second delivery — the first legal one that is — of the evening.

Five-time champions MI however, have been a different beast since opening their account against the Delhi Capitals, winning three matches on the trot including two away from home with a number of their batters suddenly regaining form.

Skipper Rohit Sharma led Mumbai’s fightback with a 27-ball 44, stitching a 76-run second-wicket stand with Cameron Green. Once he perished after offering Liam Livingstone a catch off his own bowling, it was Green who shifted gears and kept Mumbai in the hunt along with an equally explosive Suryakumar Yadav, who smashed a 23-ball half-century and added 75 for the third wicket with the Australian all-rounder.

Unbelievable hitting