MI beat KKR by 13 runs in IPL in Mumbai

Speed Post News Network

Patna : Mumbai Indians defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 13 runs in the 37th match of IPL 2018 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, thanks to excellent bowling by Pandya brothers : Hardik and Krunal, who took three wickets between them. KKR captain and wicketkeeper remained unbeaten on 36 in 26 balls with 5 fours and a six.

MI had scored 181/4 in 20 overs. In reply, KKR scored 168/6 in 20 overs with Robin Uthappa scoring 54 in 35 balls hitting 6 fours and 3 sixes while Nitish Rana made 31 in 27 balls hitting 3 fours and a six. Hardik Pandya was declared Player of the Match. MI has now 8 points from 10 matches in IPL 2018 while KKR have 10 points from 10 matches.

KKR won the toss but opted to bowl. Batting first, MI scored 181/4 in 20 overs with openers Suryakumar Yadav and Evin Lewis scoring 59 and 43 runs respectively.  They were involved in a 91 run stand for the first wicket. Suryakumar Yadav hit 7 fours and 2 sixes in his 39 ball knock while Lewis hit 5 fours and 2 sixes in his 28 ball innings. But, Captain Rohit who came one down to accelerate the scoring rate got out for 11 only. The MI scoring rate dropped considerably after Sharma’s departure.

Allrounder Harik Pandya remained unbeaten on 35 in 20 balls with 4 fours and a six while his elder brother Krunal Pandya made 14 in 11 balls hitting a four and a six. Jean-Paul Duminy, South Africa, remained not out on 13 in 11 balls hitting a six. For KKR, Sunil Narin took 2/35 in 4 overs while Andre Russel took 2/12 in 2 overs.

KKR lost their first two wickets when the score was 28. Robin Uthappa and Nitish Rana were then involved in a 84 run partnership for the third wicket. Uthappa got out when the score was 112 while Rana’s wicket fell when the score was 115. KKR’s fifth wicket fell when Andre Russel fell to MI pacer Jasprit Bumrah when the score was 131. Sunil Narine got out when the score was 163. Failure of both Russel and Sunil Narine cost KKR the match.

For MI, Hardik Pandya took 2/19 in 4 overs while Krunal Pandya took 1/29 in 3 overs. MI’s young spin sensation Mayank Markande took 1/25 in 3 overs while pacer Mitchell McCleneghan took 1/30 in 4 overs. Bumrah took 1/34 in 4 overs.