IPL 2020: Statistical highlights of Rohit Sharma's knock

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Bengaluru, October 2: Rohit Sharma reaching 5,000 runs in Indian Premier League (IPL) history was the major statistical highlight of Mumbai Indians' 48-run win over Kings XI Punjab in Match 13 of the IPL 2020 on Thursday (October 1) night.

At the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Rohit, who was just two runs short of the milestone, achieved it with the very first ball he faced, clipping a wide outswinger from Mohammed Shami through the cover region.

The Mumbaikar became just the third batsman after Indian and Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli and Chennai Super Kings batsman Suresh Raina to accomplish the feat.

It set the tone for a sublime innings, with the right-hander reaching 70 off 45 balls, striking eight boundaries and three sixes.

A late flurry from Kieron Pollard (47), set Kings XI a target of 192 - a total they never threatened to reach despite the efforts of Nicholas Pooran, who scored a brisk 44.

Rohit swiftly set about taking the initiative after the early departure of his opening partner Quinto de Kock, and struck two fours from the second over, before he successfully overturned a leg before wicket decision after the technology deemed Mohammed Shami's delivery was heading down the leg side.

When Pollard was positive from the outset on his arrival at the crease, Rohit stepped up, hitting 21 off a James Neesham over, while four sixes in the 20th helped the Indians reach 191 for four, a total which KXIP never looked like chasing.

It was a torrid day with the ball for Neesham, who finished with figures of 0-52 from four overs.

Neesham attempted successive yorkers in the costly 16th over, with Rohit dispatching both of them to the boundary, yet things got worse when the Mumbai skipper pulled the next delivery over square for six, with the fifth ball of the over also heading over the ropes.

For the records, it was Rohit's 38th half-century in IPL history and second of the season following his match-winning 80 against the Kolkata Knight Riders last week.

The win also helped Mumbai Indians leap to the top of the IPL 2020 table.

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Mumbai Indians next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday (October 4) while KXIP locks horns with Rajasthan Royals a day earlier in Abu Dhabi.

With the wickets in Sharjah being relatively flat and the ground having short square boundaries, more fireworks can be expected from the "Hitman".