The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has finally ended their losing streak of 6 games in this ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Under the leadership of Dinesh Karthik, KKR won by 34 runs against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Most importantly, KKR has managed to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the playoffs. The day was more memorable for the home team, who won their 100th T20 game.
During the toss, the KKR skipper, Dinesh Karthik revealed that they have made as many as three changes in the squad as Prithvi Raj, Carlos Brathwaite, Prasidh Krishna made way for Robin Uthappa, Sandeep Warrier, and Harry Gurney. On the other hand, MI made just one change as Anukul Roy has been replaced by Barinder Sran.
WATCH – Gill and Russell Takes Apart Rahul Chahar
The KKR openers, Shubman Gill and Chris Lynn started all guns blazing for the hosts as they amassed as many as 96 runs for the opening wicket under the first 10 overs itself, before the latter getting dismissed by Rahul Chahar after scoring a fifty. Surprisingly, Andre Russell started building a partnership with Gill and they added as many as 62 runs for the second wicket before the latter getting out to Hardik Pandya in the 16th over.
Even after Gill’s dismissal, Russell and Karthik kept on smashing the MI bowlers and they amassed as many as 74 runs in less than 30 balls which helped Kolkata to reach the total of 232/2 in their quota of 20 overs.
WATCH – Russell Takes A Perfect Revenge With Surya Kumar Yadav
During the chase, MI lost Quinton de Kock in the second over of Sunil Narine followed by Rohit Sharma, who got dismissed by Harry Gurney in the 4th over. Even Evin Lewis failed to make an impact as he was dismissed by Russell in the 7th over. Kieron Pollard and Surya Kumar Yadav tried to make a partnership but the latter was dismissed by Russell again in the 9th over after getting smashed for a six on the previous ball.
After Yadav’s dismissal, Hardik Pandya came out and almost turned the game upside down as from a tally of 60/4 in 9 overs he took Mumbai 185/6 in 18 overs. Along with Pollard and his brother Krunal, Hardik scored 125 runs in just 9 overs and 91 of them came from Hardik’s bat in just 34 balls. Eventually, Mumbai lost the game by 34 runs while chasing a daunting target of 233.
Brief Score:
Kolkata Knight Riders – 232/2 in 20 overs (A Russell: 80: S Gill: 76*; H Pandya: 1/31) defeated Mumbai Indians – 198/7 in 20 overs (H Pandya: 91; A Russell: 2/25, H Gurney: 2/37) by 34 runs.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Kolkata’s win:
So Hardik Pandya is basically Andre Russell without the muscle.#KingsOfSixes
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 28, 2019
Pun Diya ! Incredible innings from Hardik #KKRvMI
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 28, 2019
Ridiculous Batting skills … @hardikpandya7 91 off 34 balls !!!! #ipl2019
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 28, 2019
Hardik Pandya….. 🙌🙇♂️ #KKRvMI
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 28, 2019
Some quality batting by #kkr against few top class T20 bowlers in the world! Mountain to climb for #mi but not impossible. #KKRvMI #VIVOIPL #GameBanayegaName
— Pragyan Prayas Ojha (@pragyanojha) April 28, 2019
Massive total put up thanks to some fantastic batting by @RealShubmanGill, @lynny50 and @Russell12A. However, with a beautiful surface to bat on and a lightning quick outfield, this could turn out to be a very close game. What do you think guys? 😊 #KKRvMI
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 28, 2019
Russell comes in at no.3 and plays another gem. 80 of 40, excellent knock from Shubman as well. Looks so solid up the order. 232 is huge #MIvKKR
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 28, 2019
Kolkata Knight Riders today:
-> 100th victory in the Twenty20 format
-> Ended their 6-match losing streak
-> Ended their 4-match losing streak at Eden Gardens
-> Ended their 8-match losing streak against MI#IPL2019 #KKRvMI— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) April 28, 2019
Most sixes in IPL 2019:
50 – Russell
32 – Gayle
27 – HARDIK PANDYA
26 – De Villiers
19 – WarnerPandya only Indian in top-5. #KKRvMI
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) April 28, 2019
Teams with 100-plus T20 wins:
Mumbai Indians
Chennai Super Kings
Lancashire
Nottinghamshire
Warwickshire
Kolkata Knight Riders*#KKRvMI— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) April 28, 2019
Hardik Pandya looks more tenacious & trenchant after the Koffee With Karan fiasco. Seems like he has turned over a new leaf. Always had enormous ability but has now gained acumen to harness it effectively! Stunning innings. His form augurs well for World Cup #IPL2019 #KKRvsMI
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) April 28, 2019
KKR's first T20 match: April 18, 2008
RCB's first T20 match: April 18, 2008KKR's 100th T20 win: April 28, 2019
RCB's 100th T20 defeat: April 28, 2019#KKRvMI— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) April 28, 2019
