It promised to be an exciting match with two prior IPL champions facing off against each other in the second qualifier of the Indian Premier League 2017. It was Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders facing off at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. As points leaders, it was Mumbai Indians’ second chance at the finals (already having lost to the Sunrisers Pune in the first qualifier). MI did not fritter away their second chance; here’s what went down:
Rohit Sharma decided to bowl first, after winning the toss. The top order of KKR made heavy weather of it all with Chris Lynn out for 4 off 8, Sunil Narine making only 10 off 10, Gautam Gambhir getting out for 12 off 15 and Robin Uthappa making just 1 run off 3 balls.
It fell to Ishank Jaggi (28 off 31) and Suryakumar Yadav (31 off 25) to salvage some pride for KKR. But with none of the other players even reaching double figures, KKR only managed the rather dismal total of 107 all out in 18.5 overs.
None of the batsmen seemed to get on top of the bowling at any point. Jaspreet Bumrah picked up three wickets giving away just 7 runs, Mitchell Johnson picked up 2 for 28, Lasith Malinga took one wicket and Karn Sharma took a 4 wicket haul; an impressive 4 /16 in his four overs.
Lendl Simmons departed after making just 3 runs, Parthiv Patel made only 14 runs and Ambati Rayudu went for just 6; Piyush Chawla claiming two of those wickets to give MI the jitters.
Skipper Rohit Sharma steadied the innings with his 26 off 24, but it was Krunal Pandya who took the match away from KKR with his knock of 45 off 30. Mumbai romped home with 6 wickets and 33 balls to spare.
Mitchell Johnson’s catch of Jaggi won him the perfect Catch of the Match award. Rohit Sharma won the award for the Maximum Sixes because he hit the longest six of the match. Jaspreet Bumrah was awarded the Stylish Player of the Match trophy.
For this match winning haul of 4 wickets, it was Karn Sharma who won the Player of the Match award.
Winners MI will face off against Rising Pune Supergiants in the finals on Sunday, 21 May 2017. With RPS already having defeated MI in the first qualifier, this one promises to be a hard fought one.
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