Colombo [Sri Lanka], September 1 (ANI): Mumbai Kings have made an impressive turnaround in the inaugural JITO Premier League (JPL) 2026, bouncing back from a defeat in their opening game to register three consecutive victories and establish themselves as one of the teams to watch in the tournament.
The Mumbai-based franchise began its campaign with a loss but quickly regrouped and responded strongly, winning their next three matches with a combination of disciplined bowling, aggressive batting and composed performances under pressure, according to a press release from the JPL.
Their third match against Indore Hawks produced one of the most thrilling finishes of their campaign so far. Chasing 170, Mumbai Kings secured a dramatic three-wicket victory in the final over. Karan Shah led the chase with a blistering 47 off 27 balls, while Shivam Kothari contributed a quickfire 36 off 17 balls.
Garv Jain then sealed the match in style, hitting the winning six when Mumbai required six runs from five balls with three wickets in hand.
With the ball, Kulveer Mehta has emerged as one of Mumbai Kings' key performers. He has consistently contributed with crucial wickets and played a major role in the team's recent victories. Against RDB Monarch Bengal Indians, Kulveer delivered an outstanding spell of 4/31 and was named Player of the Match.
Mumbai Kings' bowling attack also made an early impact against RDB Monarch Bengal Indians, with Parth Tolia picking up three wickets in the first two overs to set the tone. Mumbai eventually posted 173/8 and restricted RDB Monarch Bengal Indians to 137/9 to complete a 36-run victory.
Karan Shah has also been among the team's standout performers with the bat. He has won back-to-back Player of the Match awards, including for his 47 off 27 balls against Indore Hawks, underlining his consistency at the top of the order.
The team has also received valuable contributions from players such as Raj Jain, Shivam Kothari, Jash Dedhia, Garv Jain and Ayush Shah reflecting the depth and balance within the squad.
Led by captain Karsh Kothari and Head Coach Malkesh Gandhi, Mumbai Kings have shown strong character in their comeback campaign. The team is being mentored by former Sri Lankan cricketer Avishka Gunawardene, whose experience is providing valuable guidance to the young squad. Gunawardene has spoken about the enthusiasm and energy within the group since joining the team.
The inaugural JITO Premier League is being played in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with 12 franchises competing in the tournament. The league is scheduled to run through September 5, with the knockout stage to follow the league phase.
Mumbai Kings will look to carry their winning momentum into their last league game as they aim to secure a place in the playoffs. (ANI)
Mumbai Kings script impressive turnaround with three consecutive wins in JITO Premier League
