MOHALI: The Kings XI Punjab pulled off an unlikely victory over the Mumbai Indians as they cruised to a comfortable 6 wicket victory to win back to back games for the first time in this years IPL tournament.

Kumar Sangakkara scored a well deserved half century as the Kings XI ended their IPL home schedule with a fine victory.

After winning 5 straight group games, all played at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, the Indians have now lost their last two games losing in Chennai and in Mohali.

Adrian Barath and Mahela Jayawardene got the Kings XI’s run chase off to a great start building an opening stand of 41 before the former Sri Lanka captain was controversy caught by Saurabh Tiwary.

Jayawardene tried to hit Lasith Malinga through the covers but he could only managed to pick out Tiwary at mid-on who took a diving catch but as he rolled across the ground having caught the ball it popped out onto the ground.

The Sri Lanka walked straight away but was called back by his opening partner Barath as the umpires got together before deciding Tiwary had held onto for the ball for long enough despite spilling the ball.

Barath (33) soon followed when he was trapped LBW by JP Duminy but Sangakkara and Yuvraj Singh built an important third wicket partnership contributing 38 runs to ease the Kings XI towards victory.

Although he played the perfect supporting role Yuvraj suffered another disappointing performance scoring just 15 before he was caught out on the boundary by JP Duminy who was enjoying his first game of the tournament.

Despite losing Yuvraj, Sangakkara completed his half century to help the Kings XI too victory inflicting back to back defeats on the Indians.

Having failed to capitalise on good starts made by Sachin Tendulkar and Ambati Rayudu the Indians were restricted to a total of just 154-9 on a slow turning wicket.

Tendulkar (29) and Rayudu (33) both made good starts for the Indians but neither player was unable to build their innings after they were both bowled by spinner Piyush Chawla before they were settled at the crease.

After Wednesdays embarrassing 9 wicket defeat against the Rajasthan Royals the Kings XI looked more disciplined in the field with a mistake free performance.

The Indians were never comfortable on a slow turning wicket losing wickets at regular intervals to stop the flow of wickets as each new batsman struggled to find any rhythm early in their innings.

Irfan Pathan struck twice removing opener Shikhar Dhawan (2) and Rajagopal Sathish (20) as the Kings XI slower bowlers provided the biggest threat to the Indians big hitting top order.

JP Duminy and Kieron Pollard offered some resistance sharing a sixth wicket partnership of 38 to give the Indians some hope before Pollard (18) was bowled by Pathan to leave the visitors 134-6.

With the big hitting West Indian back in the dug out Duminy and Harbhajan Singh saw the Indians past 150 with an 18 run partnership which will give their bowlers a chance on a rapidly slowing wicket.