Synopsis: Kolkata Knight Riders leave it late to beat MI by 4 wickets and keep play-offs hopes alive
Kolkata Knight Riders kept their chances of reaching the playoffs alive and they had their bowlers to thank for it. After they restricted Mumbai Indians to 147/8, a fourth-wicket partnership between Rovman Powell and Manish Pandey steadied the innings as they got home with more than an over to spare.
KKR bowlers’ vintage choke
On a sultry evening with rain expected, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane opted to chase on a ground where dew was likely to be a significant factor as the match progressed. Mumbai openers Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton started slowly, managing only a single boundary in the first couple of overs.
With pressure building, Rickelton swung at Cameron Green in the third over, but the ball ballooned up and landed in Manish Pandey’s grasp. Naman Dhir lasted two balls, nicking behind to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, giving Green his second wicket. Rohit, meanwhile, slog-swept Saurabh Dubey for a six only to fall to the Vidarbha pacer for 15, leaving Mumbai reeling at 24/3 after four overs.