Mumbai stay in contention for a place in playoffs

MUMBAI, May 17 (AP): Defending champion Mumbai Indians pulled off a three-run victory over Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier on Wednesday and stayed in contention for a place in the playoffs.

Lokesh Rahul's sixth half century in the IPL had nearly ended Mumbai's run in the tournament before fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah (3-15) turned the match on its head in his return spell and restricted Punjab to 183-5.

"I think Bumrah has come a long way in the past two years, worked really hard on his bowling," Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma said. "Coming out there and bowling at set batsmen who are trying to finish the job - he's doing it perfectly for us."

Needing 38 off the last three overs, Punjab took 15 runs off Ben Cutting's 18th over as Rahul (94 off 60 balls) smashed three consecutive boundaries off the Australian seamer.