Mumbai Indians too strong for struggling Kings XI Punjab

Lendl Simmons and Parthiv Patel produced superb batting performances to guide Mumbai Indians to a 23-run Indian Premier League win over Kings XI Punjab.

Mumbai's opening pair made the difference in a battle between the bottom two teams in the IPL on Sunday, with Simmons (71) and Patel (59) putting on a stand of 111 for the first wicket as the visitors reached 172-3 from their 20 overs.

And, despite the best efforts of the powerful David Miller (43), Kings XI were unable to get anywhere near their target.

Excellent bowling in the closing overs of Kings XI's reply, particularly from Lasith Malinga (2-31), ensured Mumbai's fourth victory of the campaign by restricting the hosts to 149-7.

Simmons and Patel bludgeoned the Kings XI attack in the opening 12 overs, with the latter hitting eight boundaries in his 36-ball innings before falling to Karanveer Singh (1-30).

Yet Simmons refused to allow Mumbai's momentum to slip, his more patient approach holding together their innings until his dismissal at the hands of Anureet Singh (1-30) with three balls remaining.

None of the Kings XI players possessed Simmons' composure at the crease, as Malinga, Jagadeesha Suchith (1-33) and Harbhajan Singh (1-27) reduced them to 86-3 inside 12 overs.

South Africa's Miller briefly offered a riposte, however, his scoring was pedestrian and his exit via a superb diving catch from Rohit Sharma effectively ended any chance of a Kings XI victory.

Desperation set in as wickets tumbled through late run outs on another disappointing day for last year's runners-up.