IPL 2023: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders Match 22 - Talking Points and Who Said What?

Courtesy of meticulous innings from Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, the five-time champions Mumbai Indians defeated Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday, April 16, at the Wankhede Stadium. Notably, batting first, Venkatesh Iyer stole the show, smashing 104 runs off 51 deliveries and based on which the visiting team posted 185 runs on the board. On the other hand, other KKR middle-order batters struggled to get going, and that is one area that the team management needs to address ahead of the upcoming match.

Meanwhile, in the second innings, MI introduced Rohit Sharma as their Impact Player after the 35-year-old didn’t feature in the first innings as he suffered from a stomach bug. He started well, but courtesy of a stunning match from Umesh Yadav, Sharma had to return to the dressing room after scoring 20 runs off 13 deliveries. Nevertheless, Ishan Kishan continued to dominate the Knight Riders, smashing 58 runs off 25 deliveries. Later, Suryakumar Yadav, who was in terrible form ahead of the match, joined the party and smacked 43 runs off 25 deliveries to help MI win the match by five wickets.

Venkatesh Iyer’s catastrophic knock

Iyer, on Sunday, was at his absolute best, wreaking havoc at the Wankhede. The Indore-born cricketer also became the second KKR player to register a century in the history of the tournament. Notably, with his 104 runs off 51 deliveries, Iyer became the leading run-scorer of the ongoing IPL 2023.

Ishan’s blistering knock changed fortunes for MI

Flamboyant batter Ishan Kishan played a fiery knock of 58 runs off 25 deliveries to help Mumbai get a strong start in the match. He laid the foundation for the middle-order batters to capitalise and win their second game of the season.

SKY returns back to form

Suryakumar Yadav’s return to form will boost Mumbai’s chances in the upcoming games. The 32-year-old smashed 43 runs off 25 deliveries and took the game away from KKR’s hand. However, the cricketer would be disappointed for not being able to finish the game.

Winning captain Suryakumar Yadav said

We had a chat in the dugout that we had to carry the momentum from the last game and the boys put on a show. I would have loved to finish the game but nevertheless, I was very happy with the way the team played. In the afternoon we thought the wicket was a little dry, but the way the guys batted it settled down in the evening. At the Wankhede in day games, 160-170 is a good score but Kishan got us off to a great start. I took my time in the first five-seven balls and thought if I could get my eye in I could get a score. We know that if the top order gives a good start, what kind of firepower we have lower down the order. It was a legendary spell [Piyush Chawla]. He put his hand up under pressure

Losing captain Nitish Rana said

I think we were 15-20 runs short. Credit to PC bhai (Piyush Chawla) for the way he bowled. Feel bad for Venky, he scored a hundred, played so well but finished on the losing side. The whole team knows this was the second hundred for a player from KKR. Other players from our side will also score hundreds going forward. They targeted our best bowlers and it paid off for them. We could have done better in the powerplay. I would want my bowling unit to deliver more. Anyone can have a bad game or two but it it is happening consistently with us. We will go back to the dressing room and talk about it.

Player of the Match Venkatesh Iyer said

Would have been happier if we would have finished on the winning note but nonetheless, pleased with my effort. That's the role given to me by the management and it's my job to repay them. Obviously it was a very beautiful wicket to bat on. Once you score those 30-40 runs, it gets easy to score. Really happy to get a hundred. Their new ball bowlers are both swing bowlers and once you allow them to settle down, it gets difficult. So I just didn't want to let them settle. Once the swing goes away, it gets easier to play them. Once you're out there doing something for the team, you forget all the pain. The wicket was really nice and I was enjoying myself out there. In hindsight I think we did score 15-20 runs less, and the way MI were going, they could have scored it in another over but yeah, we were a little short.