IPL 9 Match 24 Review: Mumbai Indians ride on Rohit Sharma's brilliance

Mumbai Indians earned a much-needed victory in the tournament after they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 6 wickets at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Riding on skipper Rohit Sharma’ strokefull half-century and Kieron Pollard blazing fifty, MI chased down the challenging 175 run target with ease in 18 overs with 6 wickets in hand.

The chase began on a poor note for the MI side as they lost Parthiv Patel cheaply. But, Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu then stabilised the innings with a 61 run 2nd wicket stand. The pair, however, could not bat beyond the 7th over as Rayudu was dismissed by Umesh Yadav.

KKR bowler then tried to pull things under their control. An over later, Sunil Narine cleaned up Krunal Pandya. The off-spinner, in his next over, picked another wicket. Buttler’s hard hit would have been a six on any normal day. But, unfortunately for him, Chris Lynn, pulled off a spectacular catch on the ropes to ensure that Buttler departs back to the pavilion.

With 69 required from 42 balls for MI, the game was on and the momentum was in favour of both the team.

Unfortunately for KKR, it was Kieron Pollard who walked in after Buttler’s wicket. He along with his skipper pushed the accelerator and rocketed towards the target.

Pollard, especially was in a lethal mood and pummeled the bowlers. The pair forged a match-defining 72 runs stand in just 5 overs to completely take the match away from KKR’s sight.

Eventually, Pollard smashed three sixes in a row in the 18 over to finish off the match in style. He also equalled the record for the third fastest fifty in the IPL with his 17 balls 51 runs knock laced with 2 fours and 6 sixes.

Earlier, after being put into bat, openers Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa, after having failed in the last couple of matches, looked in their old rhythm and stitched a 69 run stand for the first wicket.

After a silent first over By Tim Southee, Gambhir and Uthappa began to free their arms. Both began plundering the opposition at around 9.5 runs an over before veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh snapped Uthappa in the 8th over to break the partnership.

It was a great relief for the MI side which had earlier fumbled two chances. McClenaghan, in the first over, dropped a Gambhir off his own bowling. Uthappa, too, survived a chance in the same over he got out after Parthiv Patel fumbled a run-out chance.

In a surprising move, Shakib Al Hasan was sent out at No.3. However, the all-rounder could not contribute to the score. Gambhir continued to score aggressively and soon reached his half-century in the 13th over, Unfortunately, he lost his wicket in the following over to McClenaghan.

But, Gambhir departure did not have a great impact as the middle order chipped in with blistering cameos.

Surya Kumar Yadav (21 from 17 balls) and Andre Russell (22 from 16 balls) played wonderful cameos before Tim Southee got better of both the players.

Chris Lynn (10 from 10 balls) and Yusuf Pathan (19 from 8 balls) gave a good finish to the KKR innings. Much credit for KKR’s final score goes to Southee who fluffed two catches in the penultimate over.

Brief Scores: 

Kolkata Knight Riders: 174/5 in 20 overs (Gautam Gambhir 59; Tim Southee 2/38)

Mumbai Indians: 178/4 in 18 overs (Rohit Sharma 68; Sunil Narine 2/22)

Man of the Match: Rohit Sharma