Rohit Sharma and Krunal Pandya not only won the match for Mumbai Indians against the Punjab Kings on Tuesday, they also won hearts through their sportsmanship by withdrawing a run-out appeal against KL Rahul.

In the sixth over of the PBKS innings, Rahul came in the way of a Chris Gayle shot (almost certain to reach the boundary), and the ball reached Krunal, who was prompt enough to knock the stumps.

After a brief appeal, Krunal and Rohit decided to go against their call.

Later in the match, Hardik Pandya finally showed glimpses of his destructive self as he brought MI back in play-off contention with the defending champions registering a six-wicket win.

Hardik smashed two fours and a six in the penultimate over bowled by Mohammed Shami as his 40 not out off 30 balls saw MI snap a three-match losing streak successfully chasing down a target of 136 in 19 overs.

Saurabh Tiwary (45 off 37) and Kieron Pollard (15 not out) also played their part as M survived some anxious moments before ending on winning note.

Pollard who took two wickets in Punjab innings hit a six and four off young left-armer Arshdeep Singh taking 13 off the 18th over which helped Hardik go for the jugular against Shami. It only helped that his final shot which ended as a maximum was a regulation catch which Deepak Hooda dropped at the fence.

After this victory, MI reached the fifth spot with 10 points from 11 matches, while Punjab slipped to sixth spot.

(With PTI inputs)