Marsh does it,singlehandedly

Left-hander hits unbeaten 68 off 40 balls to guide Punjab to six-wicket win over Mumbai

From blowing his top off and indulging in a heated exchange with opener Nitin Saini to a couple of sloppy slip-ups in the field,it hadnt been a memorable day for Munaf Patel. Not to forget that his first three overs had gone for 30 runs. But by conceding just four runs in as many balls he seemed to be bowling the perfect 19th. Kings XI Punjab still required 16 off the last eight,and despite having notched up his umpteenth IPL half-century,Shaun Marsh was struggling to connect the decisive blow.

Then Munaf decided to change his length. He rolled his fingers over the seam and pitched it short of length. Marsh was waiting. The change of pace didnt serve its purpose,and rather sat up nicely for the left-hander to clobber it over the mid-wicket fence. The crucial six lifted the pressure off the visitors.

A lengthy discussion ensued in the Mumbai Indians camp prior to the final over. With Punjab still nine away from victory,the last over was handed to Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera,who till then had bowled a single over and conceded 10 runs. The contest still stood on a knifes edge. Marsh was in no mood of prolonging the inevitable. He opened up his stance,and slapped Pereras first delivery a wide,low full-toss over point,somehow managing to clear Ambati Rayudu despite his bottom hand slipping off the bat. Two balls later,the match was won,and with two still to go,Kings XI had accomplished their target at a canter by T20 standards.

Going into the contest,Punjab were rank underdogs,having just won two out of their six previous games,Mumbai Indians rollercoaster form notwithstanding. They were without their influential skipper,and had lost a couple more crucial overseas players to boot. The hosts in contrast were welcoming back their marquee star,and were desperate to overturn their indifferent form at home in IPL 5. And James Franklin had put his hand up and taken Mumbai to a competitive total of 163/6. The difference between the two teams was just one determined and gifted individual.

While David Miller punched the air and celebrated his teams much-needed victory with gusto,Marsh,who remained unbeaten on a 40-ball 68,hardly reacted. He simply embraced his boisterous teammate and walked off like at the end of another good day in the office. And with an extraordinary average of 53.52 in 31 games,which includes 12 half-centuries and one century,Marsh has rarely had an off-day in Kings XI Punjab colours.

Remarkable poise

Whats been more poignant in his performances across the various editions of the IPL has been the perennially unruffled poise he has displayed. The lack of emotion after having led his team to a mighty win on Sunday didnt really stand out as an exception.

There has forever been an almost indomitable sense of calm around Marsh in the IPL. And you would be entitled as a Punjab supporter to be surprised at how the 28-year-old opener isnt a regular in the Australian team,especially in the limited-overs format. With averages of 27.36,36.40 and 13.50 in Tests,ODIs and T20Is respectively,Marsh has not done enough either to keep the Australian selectors interested in him for extended periods of time. They in turn could also have probably shown a bit more patience in the talented left-hander. It was incidentally his impressive showings in IPL-I that won him a maiden cap in the national team.

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And if he continues his clinical consistency for the Kings in this edition too,it should only be a matter of time before hes back donning the Baggy Green and guiding his team to victory with the kind of composure he displayed at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.