IPL 2019: Match 47, KKR vs MI – Who Said What

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) managed to stay alive in this edition’s Indian Premier League (IPL) after getting past the Mumbai Indians (MI) by 34 runs at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Hardik Pandya tried his heart out with a resounding knock, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to take Mumbai home. In the meantime, KKR, captained by Dinesh Karthik, also garnered their 100th T20 victory.

Russell and Gill take charge

Mumbai won the toss and elected to field and the decision backfired significantly as the Knight Riders racked up a monstrous 232 for two in 20 overs. Shubman Gill and Chris Lynn came out firing on all cylinders and put on an opening-wicket stand of 96 runs from 57 deliveries. Lynn got out to Rahul Chahar after scoring 54 off 29. Gill carried on and notched 76 off 45 with six fours and four sixes.

In the meantime, Andre Russell was promoted to the number three slot and he wielded magic, having played another bludgeoning knock of 80 off 40 balls. The Jamaican started cautiously but laid into the Mumbai bowling. Rahul Chahar disturbed him, but Dre Russ remained unfazed. His knock was decorated with six fours and eight sixes. Even the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga couldn’t restrict him.

Hardik Pandya’s knock went in vain

The visitors didn’t have a great start as Sunil Narine got rid of Quinton de Kock in the second over. Rohit Sharma couldn’t survive the heat and he was trapped plumb in front by Harry Gurney. Even Lewis couldn’t get going in his 16-ball 15. Suryakumar Yadav threatened with a knock of 26 off 14 balls and he was dismissed by Russell, who picked up his second wicket. Kieron Pollard strained to a 21-ball 20.

Then it was the turn of Hardik Pandya to go berserk. The Baroda cricketer racked up the fastest half-century of this edition’s IPL off a mere 17 balls. He didn’t throw in the towel and gave the hosts an almighty scare with a knock of 91 off 34 deliveries. He hammered six fours and nine sixes in his blistering knock. After Gurney nipped him out in the 18th over, the writing was pretty much on the walls for MI.

Rohit Sharma, the MI captain, said

You gotta start well which didn’t happen for us. We kept losing wickets which added more pressure towards the end. If somebody would have played a hand with Hardik, we lost by 30 runs, you never know. We tried everything we could. We bowled those yorkers, we bowled the bouncers, tried our variations. Got to give credit to their batters, Lynn set the tone, Gill batted really well and Russell finished it off.

This is a learning for us. We will find some answers going forward. Today was a testing time for us, but I am not really worried how the bowling unit will come back from this. When you have a score like that you have to believe you can chase it down otherwise it is not possible. You need few of the guys to put their hands up, not one guy can take you through.

We needed partnerships, someone to bat longer with Hardik. Credit to him, maginificent effort. Have to regroup quickly now, we are playing two home games and know the conditions well. As a team we have done some right things and we have to believe in our abilities. You got to stay positive and look forward to the next game.

Dinesh Karthik, the KKR captain, said

I think at the end of the day you should make sure your process is right. At the end of the day, it’s a game, you need to keep a smile and you need to be happy. It’s hardwork, it was a flat wicket and they came out all guns blazing. Credit to Hardik, the way he played. We were waiting for one bad shot. Russell is a great player, the maturity he’s showing is great to see. These balls cost a lot. We live another day and the crowd has been fantastic.

Andre Russell, the Player of the Match, said

I am a fan of Avengers. Hand-eye co-ordination is important. I generate a lot of power from the core. You need to make sure your body is fit and strong. That shot was a surprise for me as well. We have given ourselves a chance. Hopefully the result in the next two games goes our way. We needed to get 200-plus but getting 230 was just enough. We kept our heads calm under pressure and executed our plans well.

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