West Indians fail to spark as Mumbai reach IPL Final

BANGALORE, India (CMC): SUNIL NARINE, Kieron Pollard and Lendl Simmons failed to make a big impact, as the Mumbai Indians rode into the final of the Indian Premier League on the back of destructive bowling from Karn Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah that propelled them to a six-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders yesterday.

Narine, whose big hitting had turned the tournament upside down, was dismissed for just 10, as KKR were dismissed for a disappointing 107 in 18.5 overs, after they were sent to bat in the second qualifier at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

He then failed to take a wicket in his four overs that cost 21, Simmons made just three and Pollard was nine not out, as Mumbai achieved their modest victory target with 33 balls remaining.

The result sets up tomorrow’s final between Mumbai and Rising Pune Supergiant at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

In a twinkling, KKR were stumbling on 31 for five in the sixth over, after Karn and Bumrah combined to blow away their top order batting.

FAILED TO RECOVER

Though Suryakumar Yadav hit the top score of 31 and Ishank Jaggi made 28 to stage a fight-back in the form of a 56-run, seventh-wicket stand, Mumbai failed to fully recover from the early damage.

Karn was the most successful bowler with four for 16 from four overs, but Bumrah was the pick of the litter, taking three for seven from three overs.

Mumbai, too, were under early pressure, losing Simmons, fellow opener Parthiv Patel and Ambati Rayudu cheaply to fall to 34 for three.

But Krunal Pandya joined Rohit Sharma, their captain, and led the way with eight fours in 45 from 30 balls to put them on course before Pollard arrived with 23 remaining to help seal the result.