
MUMBAI: Mumbai Indians bid a fitting farewell to Wankhede Stadium in the Indian Premier League this year when they condemned Kolkata Knight Riders to a six-wicket defeat on Thursday night.
Mumbai’s second victory against KKR in the ongoing tournament was powered by Kieron Pollard’s 17-ball blitz of 51 and skipper Rohit Sharma’s 68 after Kolkata had made 174-5. The hosts rode on Pollard’s blistering knock that included six sixes to knock off the required runs in only 18 overs.
Mumbai also climbed up the ladder to sit behind Gujarat Lions and Kolkata in third place.
Jaydev Unadkat had a forgetful night as Pollard, playing his 100th IPL match (all in Mumbai colours), smoked him for three sixes in the 18th over to seal Mumbai’s victory. The Indian paceman’s three overs produced 49 runs. Ambati Rayudu also made a significant contribution with 36 while putting on 59 with Sharma.
Rohit brought up his half-century in the twelfth over – getting there off 36 balls. Pollard’s knock is the fastest by a Mumbai batsman in the IPL. The Trinidadian also hit two fours.
Sharma’s 49-ball innings, containing eight fours and two sixes), was his fourth half-century in four run-chases this season.
Sunil Narine was yet again the best bowler for Kolkata as he finished with figures of 2-22 from his four overs.
Earlier, Kolkata made a bright start as skipper Gautam Gambhir (59 off 45 balls) and Robin Uthappa 36) shared an opening partnership of 69.
Tim Southee was the most successful of the home team’s bowlers with 2-38.
Summarised scores:
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS 174-5 in 20 overs (G. Gambhir 59, R.V. Uthappa 36, A.D. Russell 22, S.A. Yadav 21; T.G. Southee 2-38); MUMBAI INDIANS 178-4 in 18 overs (R.G. Sharma 68 not out, K.A. Pollard 51 not out, A.T. Rayudu 32; S.P. Narine 2-22).
Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2016
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