In the 37th game of IPL 2018, hosts Mumbai Indians (MI) secured a crucial 13-run victory against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai) on Sunday afternoon. While MI put a total of 181/4 at the end of 20 overs, KKR managed 168/6 in 20 overs.
KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik decided to bowl first after winning the toss. Mumbai had a very good start after openers Suryakumar Yadav and Evin Lewis put a brilliant 91-run partnership for the first wicket. Earlier, they managed 56/0 at the end of the powerplay.
After the openers’ dismissals, most of the other batsmen failed to carry the innings in the projected way. While Lewis was the fats MI batsman to be dismissed on 43 runs, Yadav completed his half-century in 31 balls and then he returned to the pavilion after scoring 59 runs off 39 balls.
Hardik Pandya was the only other MI batsman to cross the 20-run mark as he was not out on 35 runs off 20 balls with 4 fours and only six. Finally, the hosts managed to score 181/4 in 20 overs.
Among the KKR bowlers, Sunil Narine (2/35) and Andre Russell (2/12) got two wickets each.
In reply, KKR lost their both openers quickly as Chris Lynn and Shubman Gill scored 17 and 7 runs respectively. They made a comeback in the game with the brilliant third-wicket partnership between Robin Uthappa and Nitish Rana for 84 runs.
Before getting out at the important time, Uthappa scored 54 runs off 35 balls and Nitish Rana scored 31 runs off 27 balls. Their dismissals became the turning point of the game.
In the end, KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik tried hard as he was not out on 36 runs off just 26 balls with 5 fours and only six. However, he didn’t get any support from the other batsmen as KKR finished their innings on 168/6 in 20 overs.
Among the MI bowlers, Hardik Pandya (2/19) claimed two wickets while Mitchell McClenaghan (1/30), Jasprit Bumrah (1/34), Krunal Pandya (1/29) and Mayank Markande (1/25) got one wicket each.
Here are some Twitter reactions:
Hardik Pandya is the Purple Cap holder now in IPL 2018, with 14 wickets. #MIvKKR
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 6, 2018
Brilliant Over From Jasprit Bumrah. He Has Won It For Mumbai Indians By This Over. 😇💪🙏#MIvKKR #MIvsKKR
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) May 6, 2018
Feeling worried for Suryakumar Yadav. Physically drained. It’ll be tough to go on for too long. Perhaps, time to pass on the baton. #MIvKKR #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 6, 2018
181 is something to play with but not enough to dream about getting points. #MI will have to bowl well to stay alive in the #IPL
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 6, 2018
😀😀😀😀#IPL2018 #MIvKKR #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/lFAcrufSsm
— Aditii🎀 (@Sassy_Soul_) May 6, 2018
So Duminy is the Badrinath of MI.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 6, 2018
Competitive but they will feel they are a few short @mipaltan More with @DineshKarthik and Russell to finish for @KKRiders Imp how spinners bowl to Narine and Lynn. #MIvsKKR
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) May 6, 2018
Rohit Sharma Back In Form. 3 Times In 10 Matches He Has Crossed A Score Of 20. Salute To His Consistency. 💪🦁🙃#MIvKKR #MIvsKKR
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) May 6, 2018
Uthupa and Rana have strung together a fine, rallying partnership to have Mumbai — players and fans — on tenterhooks
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 6, 2018
Rohit Sharma trying to answer critics with big innings. #MIvKKR pic.twitter.com/k0Aw2QDwv3
— Gajender Singh (@gajender00) May 6, 2018
Well Done Paltans… U guys did it under huge pressure.. Trolled back those commentators who said we couldnot defend this total.. #MIvKKR pic.twitter.com/03KS664rLr
— Trollywood (@TrollywoodOffl) May 6, 2018
We r still alive 😎😎 @mipaltan 💪🏾
Pandya bros day 🙏🙏 Excellent with bat and ball 😎 #MIvKKR 💗 pic.twitter.com/rwVo8KabHH
— M Gowtham (@drgowtham_m) May 6, 2018
