Mohali: Mumbai Indians found themselves in unfamiliar territory as their in-form top order failed miserably while chasing 164 to win, allowing hosts Kings XI Punjab to pick up three early wickets here on Tuesday.
But that was just the beginning of a horror story for Mumbai. Wickets continued to tumble and as much as six fell inside the first 10 overs, turning the match into a no contest.
Earlier, Munaf Patel produced his first five-wicket haul of the tournament as Kings XI Punjab lost the plot after an impressive start to be eventually restricted to 163 for eight.
Kings XI were coasting at 129 for two at one stage but lost as many as six wickets in a span of just 39 runs in the last five overs to see their innings go haywire from a comfortable position.
Munaf was the wrecker-in-chief for Mumbai, picking up five wickets for just 21 runs off his four overs while tournament's highest wicket-taker Lasith Malinga gave him the perfect support from the other end with figures of two for 24.
Shaun Marsh top-scored for Kings XI with a 34-ball 43 while Dinesh Karthik (31 off 24), captain Adam Gilchrist (28) and Paul Valthaty (14) all got starts before fading out.
It was a miserable batting performance from the Kings XI middle and lower order with just the top four registering double figures.
Asked to bat, Kings XI lost Valthaty early for a run-a-ball 14. He was caught by Aiden Blizzard at deep mid-wicket off Munaf in the third over.
It could have double blow for the home team two overs later if not for a butter-fingered Andrew Symonds who dropped a sitter of Gilchrist at extra cover off Dhawal Kulkarni.
New man Marsh, however, came out in a ravishing mood and upped the Kings XI run rate with a flurry of boundaries.
Marsh and Gilchrist then demolished part-timer Rohit Sharma, hitting him for a six and four to pick up 18 runs off his second and innings' 10th over.
With Kings XI racing off to 86 for one after 10 overs, Mumbai skipper Sachin Tendulkar was forced to bring back Malinga into the attack in the 11th over and the Sri Lankan pacer did not disappoint his captain, getting the vital wicket of Gilchrist, caught by wicket-keeper Ambati Rayudu.
Mumbai fielding coach Jonty Rhodes won't be a happy man on Tuesday as after Symonds' blunder, it was time for Blizzard to drop a regulation catch of Karthik off the bowling of Kieron Pollard in the 13th over.
Karthik cashed in on the missed opportunities and hit Tirumalasetti Suman for consecutive boundaries in the next over - one of which came off a well executed reverse sweep.
But just when it was time to open up, Munaf came up with twin blows in the 16th over to put brakes on Kings XI scoring.
A dangerous-looking Marsh was the first to depart, caught brilliantly by Pollard at deep mid-wicket as he went for a pull and then three balls later new man David Hussey picked out Blizzard at mid-off.
But Kings XI were in no mood to give up as Mandeep Singh and Karthik struck a six each off Kulkarni to notch up 14 runs of the 17th over.
Munaf made the difference for Mumbai with another double blow - Karthik and Ryan Harris - in the 19th over to restrict Kings XI within a chaseable target.
In pics: Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab
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