IPL 2018: Match 41, KKR vs MI - Who Said What

Mumbai Indians (MI) defeated rather annihilated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in front of their home crowd by a whopping 102 runs. It was a completely one-sided game ever since Ishan Kishan stepped out on the field to bat as he just tore apart the bowling attack of the hosts. His knock of 62 runs off just 21 balls changed the game on its head and suddenly the score of Mumbai looked like a mountain. However, Dinesh Karthik and his men also had themselves to blame as no one to looked to play out the 20 overs and were thumped instead.

After losing the toss, the onus was once again on the openers Evin Lewis and Suryakumar Yadav who provided a decent start to their team. The latter was once again impressive in his approach and played smart cricket without giving away his wicket. The skipper Rohit Sharma promoted himself on his favourite venue but actually scoring was done then by the young Ishan Kishan. He was absolutely brutal in his hitting today which just livened Mumbai’s innings who looked like posting around 160 until then in 20 overs.

But the knock of Kishan included 6 sixes and 5 fours which eventually took the game away from KKR. Even Ben Cutting‘s brilliance, in the end, proved helpful which propelled the visitors to a monumental total of 210 runs after their 20 overs. The chase was always going to be difficult for the Knight Riders and it hurt them more as none of their batsmen showed application and only tried to slog the ball. The game was over effectively within the first 10 overs itself as they were reduced to 67/6 with all proper batsmen in the hut.

It is crime to expect for the tail-enders to bat 10 overs in a T20 game as they were eventually bundled out on 108 runs in the 19th over. They succumbed to their worst loss in terms of runs in the IPL and also lost their fourth position to the defending champions.

Man of the Match, Ishan Kishan said:

Had a chat with my skipper, he told me to go there and back myself. My plan was to look at the ball till the last moment and keep smacking. Have to believe in yourself, your strengths.

Win was important for us, point was to stay there, back yourself and put up a good show. I’m okay with batting anywhere depending on the team situation.

Mumbai Indians captain, Rohit Sharma said:

As a team we tend to pick up during the month of May. Hope we do it sooner. Never easy to be on the line all the time and be desperate for wins towards the second half. Would like to start the tournament on a high.

But in the past three years, we’ve been at the bottom of the table. I’m glad we came together and performed as a team today. Without a doubt, the way Ishan Kishan batted fearlessly, that was the changing point. I was assessing the pitch at that point, ball was sticking in the pitch, it wasn’t easy, but he changed the game.

We were 65 after first ten overs, but scoring 145 in last ten overs is a magnificent effort by all the batters. Ben Cutting as well, he hasn’t been getting much opportunity as well, it’s not easy to come out and play shots like that.

We as a team are prepared to post a total or chase down what is put in front of us. Can’t do much with the toss. Have to come out here and play good cricket. Last few games, the team has come together and taken responsibility.

Kolkata Knight Riders captain, Dinesh Karthik said:

200 is always a big ask. We didn’t bat well enough. If we had held on to our catches, you never know. It was a good batting wicket. When you lose wickets in the powerplay, you are always playing catch up.

We weren’t in the game after the powerplay. We just took it as a normal game. Chin up for the boys and keep moving forward. We need to raise our skill levels and that is the most important thing.

This kind of losses can put you down and that is where I as a leader need to stand up. Be honest about it. We need to believe and I have to make them believe we can make it to the playoffs.