Gilchrist praises Robin Peterson, defends Chawla’s bowling

It takes courage to play a reverse sweep and then follow it up with a switch hit of the first two balls one faces in a tournament, says a report in The Times Of India, adding that Robin Peterson did exactly the same to help Mumbai take the game away from Punjab on Wednesday.

“His blitz saw the southpaw score 15 runs off his first four balls to bring his team back into the game. Though he may not be Kevin, he is still a Peterson, by his own right. But the 32-year-old said that unlike the more famous Pietersen, he had never practiced the switch hit,” adds the national daily.

"The switch hit and reverse shots were played by instinct. I had not practised them. But I am happy my innings helped the team win. It is nice to get over the line in such close games. Such wins act as a catalyst for the team," said Peterson

According to a report in The Hindu, Mumbai Indians can now breathe easy. “The four-wicket win in the grudge match against Kings XI Punjab at the PCA Stadium here not only improved the team's position in the points table, but it also served as a belated birthday gift to Sachin Tendulkar. Mumbai's fourth victory, which came after two back-to-back defeats, helped the side gather eight points from seven outings. Chasing a target of 169, Mumbai turned the tables on the host with a ball to spare,” says the report.

Meanwhile, Adam Gilchrist played the role of a mentor to perfection when he lavished praise on Piyush Chawla who leaked 27 runs in the 19th over to pave the way for Mumbai Indian's win, says a report in The Tribune.

Instead of blaming Chawla, Gilchrist decided to praise Robin Peterson whose innovative switch hits got MI back in the game. "I think we should celebrate positive cricket played by Peterson," Gilchrist, who is currently out with a hamstring injury, told reporters after the match."A reverse sweep, switch hit, slog to the boundary," he said about Peterson's batting in Chawla's over.

Meanwhile, Peterson Ambati Rayudu for his cool and composed knock. "Ambati has a good head over his shoulders. Both of us were trying to keep things calm and luckily the 19th over came good for us," he said.