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In the IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Mumbai Indians (MI) emerged victorious by seven wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
During the match, MI`s wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock delivered an unbeaten knock of 112 runs off just 60 deliveries, laced with eight boundaries and seven maximums.
Speaking about the South African, former Team India cricketer Sanjay Bangar said that it came as a surprise for him that the left-handed batsman was not included in the mix for the team`s initial matches.
“I was a bit surprised to see Quinton de Kock not being utilised more prominently because he’s a proven match-winner. When he gets going, he has the ability to win games on his own, and his record in T20 cricket reflects that,” he said on JioHotstar.
He also feels that MI`s think tank needs to take tough calls to find the right balance.
“Mumbai Indians need that kind of impact at the top. It might mean making tough calls, even looking beyond Ryan Rickelton, to get the right balance in the XI. They also need to ensure their overseas combination complements the Indian core, and someone like Will Jacks, when he comes in, could add that extra energy and intent to the line-up,” said Bangar.
IPL 2026, Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings: Match Summary
Batting first in the match, the hosts posted a total of 195 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs. Wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock smashed an unbeaten 112 runs off just 60 deliveries, laced with eight boundaries and seven maximums. Naman Dhir also scored 50 runs in 31 balls, with the help of three boundaries and the same number of maximums.
Punjab`s Arshdeep Singh returned with the figures of three wickets for 22 runs in four overs. Marco Jansen and Shashank Singh also chipped in with one wicket each.
Later in the second essay of the game, along with Prabhsimran, skipper Shreyas Iyer accumulated 66 runs off 35 balls, including five boundaries and four maximums.
With this, the Kings chased the target by scoring 198 runs for the loss of three wickets in 16.3 overs.
Mumbai`s Impact Player, Allah Ghazanfar, bagged two wickets, and Shardul Thakur also claimed one wicket.
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