Pandyas showstoppers in Pandey show
Hardik’s blitzkrieg and Krunal’s threewicket haul power Mumbai to defend fortress and beat KKR in thriller
MUMBAI: At 130 for five after 17 overs, hardly anyone would have given Mumbai Indians a chance to chase down Kolkata Knight Riders’ 178/7. However, the hosts made it possible with 48 runs needed in 17 balls, to win the match by four wickets in their first clash at the home ground Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. Mumbai Indians came back into the chase after taking 19 runs off the 18th and 19th overs as the hosts brought the equation down from 49 runs off 18 balls to 11 off the final over. Hardik Pandya (29no off 11 balls) completed the chase with one ball to spare. Delhi youngster Nitish Rana with a crucial 29-ball 50 brought MI back into the game. Once Pollard departed for 17, Rana stepped up to take the battle head on. He slammed 19 runs in the 18th over bowled by Trent Boult. In the penultimate over, Rana slammed the first ball of Ankit Rajpoot for six over wicketkeeper Robin Uthappa and again smashed a low full toss to the fence over the mid-off fielder. He, however, fell immediately after bringing up his half-century, caught at point.
KKR began their innings in rampaging fashion, reaching 44 runs in first four overs. Pandya immediately provided the muchneeded breakthroughs to apply brakes to the scoring by claiming three wickets.
Pandya claimed his third wicket in his final over and it was once again his younger brother who took the catch.
Pandya‘s triple strikes left KKR struggling at one point where they scored only 50 runs in nine overs.
Manish Pandey top-scored with an unbeaten 81 to help KKR post a solid total. His innings came at a crucial time. The biggest relief in MI camp came after Bumrah removed the dangerous Chris Lynn, who was trapped leg-before for 32 off 24 balls.
Pandey stitched a 44-run fifthwicket stand with Suryakumar Yadav before exploding towards the end. In the last three overs, KKR managed to score 42 runs, including some lusty blows from Pandey in the final over, to take 23 runs off it.