IPL 2018: Match 37, MI vs KKR, Review - Defending Champions keep their nerve in close finish

Mumbai Indians (MI) prevailed in yet another last-over finish and won against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 13 runs while defending 182 runs. They staged a sensational comeback in the second half of the chase when it felt like Robin Uthappa will take the game away from them. But the champion bowlers kept their cool and scalped the wickets at the right time to put pressure on the visitors. However, it was Hardik Pandya though who stood out in the defence and has now become the highest wicket-taker of the tournament.

Rohit Sharma’s luck at the toss didn’t change as the home side were invited to bat first who fielded an unchanged XI from their previous encounter. The visitors made a couple of changes though as they brought back Nitish Rana in place of Rinku Singh and also handed a debut to Praisdh Krishna after an unfortunate injury to Shivam Mavi.

Surya and Lewis tee off

Suryakumar Yadav and Evin Lewis opened the innings for Mumbai as the duo attacked the bowling from the word go. The former has been stylish so far in his approach and again stood up tall with his strokeplay. He smacked Mitchell Johnson for 15 runs in the second over of the innings and announced himself. Lewis joined in the fun then by pummelling Sunil Narine in the very next over. The final over of the powerplay proved to be expensive for KKR as Piyush Chawla bowled poorly only to face the wrath of Lewis’ powerful batting.

Surya was again playing a special knock which was evident after he danced down to Kuldeep Yadav with confidence and smashed the ball into the deep-wicket stands. Just when the things were getting worse for the visitors, the introduction of Andre Russell proved to be a respite as he removed Lewis with a clever use of a slower ball which foxed the batter. The breakthrough slowed down the run-scoring of the defending champions as Rohit was dismissed soon by Narine.

Mumbai lose steam

Meanwhile, Surya brought up his fourth half-century this season and continued his good run. But the heat took the toll on him and played a tired shot in the 14th over. Now Pandya brothers were in the middle who were entrusted with the responsibility of finishing string. But the bowlers were up for the task and Dinesh Karthik rang in some clever changes which didn’t allow the batsmen to get away. In between, Hardik Pandya played a one-handed shot over the long-on fielder and then the ramp shot to get the crowd going.

Unfortunately, Mumbai never got the finishing kick as many were perplexed after they sent JP Duminy ahead of Ben Cutting in the death overs and he failed in doing the job. In the end, they managed to post the total of 181 runs for the loss of 4 wickets after their 20 overs which looked like around 10-15 runs short after the way they had started their innings.

KKR lose openers early

Surprisingly, KKR changed their opening combination and sent Shubman Gill to open along with Chris Lynn. Sadly for them, both were dismissed by the end of the fourth over as the latter gave catching practice to Jasprit Bumrah and his partner threw his wicket away by needlessly playing the shot in the air. However, they had a great chance to send back Robin Uthappa in the very next over only for Mayank Markande to drop a sitter. The Karnataka batsman took full of Mumbai bowling and played some delightful strokes.

Though the straight six off Markande was the best of the lot and reached his first half-century of the season to set the panic in the hosts’ camp. While it felt that the duo of Rana and Uthappa would take the game away and kick Mumbai out of the tournament, the young leggie came back and scalped the latter and then Rana was sent back by Hardik which brought them back in the game. It was a brilliant period for the home side as they squeezed the run-scoring even with Russell in the middle and increased the required run-rate from around 8.5 to over 13.

Final overs drama

With 54 needed of last four overs, the onus was on the skipper and Russell with Bumrah bowling the huge over. The ploy was set up for the latter as he bowled into his body and at pace and the Caribbean, player edged it in the air for Krunal Pandya to grab a stunning catch. The next over was then bowled by Hardik who only went for 6 runs and then Bumrah bowled four deliveries well only to lose his length in the last couple of deliveries. JP Duminy fluffed a catch which went to the boundary as 23 runs were required off the final over.

Krunal Pandya was entrusted with the responsibility and he scalped Narine off the second delivery after going for a boundary in the first. Though Dinesh Karthik tried his best the bowler kept his cool and fired in the deliveries to seal the game for his team by 13 runs. The skipper of the visitors was left stranded and he was left dejected.

Mumbai have somehow managed to keep themselves alive in the tournament now and they continue to stay at the fifth position in the points table.

Brief Scores

Mumbai Indians 181/4 after 20 overs (S Yadav 59, E Lewis 43; A Russell 2/12)

Kolkata Knight Riders 168/6 after 20 overs (R Uthappa 54, D Karthik 36*; H Pandya 2/19)

Result: Mumbai Indians won by 13 runs

Man of the Match: Hardik Pandya