IPL 2021 Match 34: All-around KKR thrash Mumbai Indians
Kolkata Knight Riders produced a dominating performance to
defeat defending Champions Mumbai Indians easily in the 34th match
of IPL 2021 played at Sheikh Zayed International Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Kolkata Knight Riders captain Eoin Morgan won the toss and
decided to field first. Rohit Sharma made a comeback into the squad after
missing the first game against Chennai Super Kings. De Kock looked in cracking
touch putting KKR bowlers under immense pressure with attacking strokes against
the spinners and pacers. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma made batting look easy
and kept hitting boundaries easily. MI openers gave a good start scoring 56
runs in the first six overs. With that, the first timeout was called.
After the timeout, MI openers kept on ticking the scoreboard
with boundaries and taking singles. Rohit Sharma achieved the milestone with 1000
runs against Kolkata Knight Riders. Sunil Narine got the breakthrough for KKR
dismissing MI captain Rohit Sharma providing an easy catch to Shubman Gill at
long-on. Rohit and de Kock added 78 runs for the opening wicket.
KKR bowlers kept tight lines and lengths not allowing de
Kock and Surya Kumar Yadav to score runs easily. With consistent pressure,
Prasidh Krishna dismissed Surya with a lovely delivery. De Kock looked in
decent touch completing his fifty off 37 balls. At the end of the 2nd
timeout, MI made 101 for 2.
After the timeout, Krishna deceived de Kock with a slower
delivery providing an easy catch to Sunil Narine. KKR bowlers kept on bowling
tight lines and lengths. Ferguson surprised Kishan with a bouncer as Andre
Russell took a good running catch. Kieron Pollard smashed Krishna for 18 runs
in the 18th over to help Mumbai Indians recover somewhat.
Ferguson bowled a stunning 20th over giving away
just 5 runs including a boundary off the final delivery. Pollard was run out
with a throw by Eoin Morgan and a good collection by Ferguson while Krunal Pandya
did not time the ball caught at the boundary. Mumbai Indians posted just 155
for 6 in 20 overs.
Chasing 156 runs to win, Shubman Gill and Venetaksh Iyer
provided a flying start to KKR taking the attack to Trent Boult and Adam Milne.
Jasprit Bumrah showed his class with stunning delivery to dismiss Shubman Gill.
Iyer and Gill put on 40 runs in quick time laying a strong foundation.
Rahul Tripathi came to the crease and showed his intent
right from the word go. Iyer looked in cracking touch putting MI bowlers under
immense pressure. At the end of the first six overs, KKR raced away to 63 for
1. With that, the first timeout was called.
After the timeout, Tripathi and Iyer made the batting look
easy against Krunal Pandya and Rahul Chahar. It was an aggressive display of
batting by both batsmen hitting boundaries with ease. Iyer completed his maiden
IPL fifty off 25 balls. Bumrah eventually dismissed Iyer in an attempt to hit
another big shot. Iyer and Tripathi added 88 runs for the 2nd
wicket.
Rahul Tripathi was lucky to survive few chances but capitalized
and reached his fifty off 29 balls. Bumrah got his third wicket getting rid of
KKR captain Morgan. Nitish Rana hit the winning runs with a boundary to help
KKR register a thumping 7 wicket win.
KKR 159 for 3 in 15.1 overs ( Rahul Tripathi 67*, Venkatesh
Iyer 53, Bumrah 3 for 43) beat Mumbai Indians 155 for 6 in 20 overs ( De Kock
55, Rohit Sharma 33, Ferguson 2/27, Krishna 2/43) by 7 wickets.
For his 1 for 20 in 4 overs, Sunil Narine was awarded the
man of the match. With this win, KKR moves up to 4th position.
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