Mumbai Indians kept their slim hopes alive with a dramatic six-wicket win over Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League thriller Thursday in Dharamshala.

Chasing a handsome target of 201, Mumbai reached 205 by loosing four wickets in 19.5 overs after a late assault led by Tilak Varma, who smashed an unbeaten 75 off just 33 balls to guide his side home in the final over.

The match remained finely poised heading into the last over, with Mumbai needing 15 runs for victory, but Varma held his nerve to seal the chase and hand Punjab its fifth straight defeat of the season.

Will Jacks also played a key cameo for Mumbai, finishing unbeaten on 25 off 10 deliveries.

Earlier, Punjab posted a commanding total of 200 runs after batting first, but its bowlers struggled to contain Mumbai’s aggressive batting lineup during the chase and failed to build sustained pressure through the middle overs.

The loss further dented Punjab’s disappointing run, with the team continuing to slide down the standings after another close defeat.