IPL 10, Match 54, KKR v MI - Mumbai Indians Player Ratings

The stage was set for a cracker. Over 60,000 spectators adorned the galleries of Eden Gardens. Among those 60,000 odd, a notable mention is Shah Rukh Khan. Every Knight Riders’ supporter present in the stand wanted just one thing- a victory of their favourite team. Mumbai Indians were already in the playoffs and the outcome of the match didn’t really mean a lot to them.

Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, wanted a win desperately. After a flying start, they slowed their pace to that of a bullock-cart, with 2 points in their last 4 games. They needed to win this match to nail their position in the top 2, so as to get two shots to the final. But Indians had other plans in mind. The nemesis of KKR, Mumbai Indians rested many of their big guns including ‘Slinga-Malinga’ and ‘yorker-specialist’ Jasprit Bumrah.

But that was of no use, as their total of 174 runs proved too much for KKR. The home side eventually fell short of the target by nine runs. They might have to play Eliminator, owing to their healthy Net Run Rate (NRR), but no one wants the matter to go into the hands of mathematicians.

Here are the ratings of the Mumbai Indians’ players:

Lendl Simmons- 1/10

The West Indian did nothing today. He did not trouble the scorers as he chose to depart for a duck after facing five deliveries. Trying to clear the in-field on the bowling of Trent Boult, he gave an easy cath to his countryman Sunil Narine. But since he was there on the field as a fielder, we must give him one ‘grace’ marks.

Saurabh Tiwary- 8/10

Once a regular name on the Mumbai Indians’ line-up, Tiwary was playing his first match for MI in this year’s IPL. But he did manage to play an inning worth a mention. His 52 of 43 deliveries boasted of nine boundaries. He steadied the ship for Mumbai, but got out owing to a lazy and casual effort. His contribution has been very valuable to the Indians for this match.

Rohit Sharma- 7/10

The Mumbai Indians skipper played a steady inning of 27 runs in 21 balls. He was looking dangerous, as 22 runs of those runs had come from boundaries or sixes. His innings comprised of four boundaries and a six. He took a liking for the young left-arm chinaman spinner of KKR, Kuldeep Yadav. But Rohit has was done and dusted by another young bowler, this time a medium-pacer, Ankit Rajpoot’s ball hit him right infront of the middle-stump, and the umpire had no second-thoughts in mind whatsoever.

Ambati Rayadu- 9/10

Here is another regular name in the Mumbai lineup, but only till last year. An unknown player named Nitish Rana played so well this year that Rayudu did not find himself a place in the most formidable line-up of the IPL. But he showed his team that he can rekindle the flame in him, when the team wanted the most. After a slow start, he changed his gears after Tiwary’s dismissal. Rayudu’s exceptional knock of 63 from 37 included 6 boundaries and 3 sixes.

Kieron Pollard- 3/10

He did not contribute much to the team’s victory today. The big guy from West Indies was called upon with the duty to finish of Mumbai’s innings with some fireworks, but he failed at it. In the 11 balls he faced, Pollard managed to score just 13 runs. At around run-a-ball strike rate, his innings comprised of just one six.

Hardik Pandya- 8/10

The Indian ‘hard-hitter’ did not get much of a chance with the bat today. But if you have someone like Hardik in your side, he will contribute with one way or the other. This time, he made the ball his weapon. In his four overs, Pandya conceded just 22 runs, which in under six runs per over. In addition to that, he picked the wicket of the two dangerous batsmen, Colin de Grandhomme and Manish Pandey, in crucial circumstances when they were taking KKR through. He was also spectacular in the field with three catches.

Krunal Pandya – 3/10

Just like his brother, Krunal too did not get much of a chance with the bat in hand. But unlike his brother, he did not do anything spectacular with the ball. Bowling just a couple of overs, he gave away 14 runs at an economy of 7 runs per over.

Karn Sharma- 5/10

Sharma was impressive with the ball early in the innings. But Yusuf Pathan destroyed his ‘would-have-been’ impressive figures, with two sixes in a single over. In his three overs, Karn gave away 26 runs. Though a tad expensive, he deserves credit for picking up the crucial wicket of Robin Uthappa.

Tim Southee- 6/10

Tim Southee traded fairly with the ball today. In his four overs, he picked up two wickets giving away 39 runs. He started off brilliantly with a wicket maiden. What makes the over more precious is that he picked up the wicket of ‘dangerous’ Sunil Narine. His figures do not do justice to his efforts, as he was subjected to all kinds of bad luck, from a catch miss to a no ball because of wrong field placements.

R Vinay Kumar- 6/10

Once a regular feature in IPL teams Karnataka skipper Vinay Kumar got a chance in the team as Mumbai’s ‘premium’ bowler Jasprit Bumrah was given some much-needed rest. But he did his reputation no harm. Vinay might be the most expensive bowler for the Indians, but it is overshadowed by the fact that he picked up two wickets. Probably the two most important wickets, as both Lynn and Pathan were striking the white-ball superbly.

Mitchell Johnson- 5/10

Once a nightmare for many, Johnson may have lost his ferocious pace, but he bowled superbly on Saturday. Initially, he went for runs, as the Knights’ skipper took a liking for him. But revenge is sweet, as Johnson finally managed to get his wicket. Ever since, there was no stopping him. When KKR were cruising towards a victory owing to the efforts of Pandey and de Grandhomme, Sharma opted for Johnson. He replied to the skipper’s faith, giving away just 2 runs in his penultimate over. After bowling a superb last over as well, he finished with the figures of 4-0-30-1.