KKR managed to put a mammoth score of 220-4 after being asked to bat first by MI skipper Hardik Pandya. It was a collective effort from KKR’s batting unit as skipper Ajinkya Rahane from the front (*67 runs in 40 balls & hit 3 fours and 5 sixes) and a half century from Angkrish Raghuvanshi helped KKR to assert dominance over MI bowling unit.
Finn Allen & Ajinkya Rahane get KKR to a brisk start
KKR’s openers Finn Allen & Ajinkya Rahane dismantled MI’s bowlers from the start. Hardik Pandya’s decision to give Allah Ghazanfar the third over proved to be disastrous; the off-spinner was brutally targeted by Finn Allen, who hit him 2 sixes and 1 four as he gave away 17 runs; KKR’s score at the end of 3 overs was 31-0.
The onslaught of Allen & Rahane; Hardik was taken to the cleaners in the 4th over of the match, where he conceded 25 runs and was smashed for 2 sixes and 3 fours. KKR notched up their 50 runs in 3.5 overs as the boundaries were raining all around the park; KKR’s score was 57 in 4 overs.
The introduction of Shardul Thakur in the 6th over got rid of the dangerous-looking Finn Allen, the speedster bowled an off-cutter & Allen couldn’t clear the long on boundary; but played a whirlwind cameo of 37 runs in 17 balls(*6 fours and 2 sixes). KKR, though, had a fruitful powerplay overs as they struck 78 runs for the loss of 1 wicket which is the highest score of KKR against MI in the history of IPL.
Shardul Thakur strikes twice but KKR continue dominance
KKR completed their 100 runs in 7.5 overs as Cameron Green & Ajinkya Rahane didn’t allow MI bowlers to settle in the middle overs. Shardul Thakur broke the partnership of Green & Rahane (*40 runs in 21 balls), the pacer cramped Green (*who scored 18 runs in 10 balls & hit 1 six and 1 four) on 5th ball of over who gave catch to deep cover to Sherfane Rutherford.
Ajinkya Rahane was quite calm & composed, KKR skipper looked all set to smash a ton; but Shardul Thakur had another plan. In the 14th over, Shardul Thakur deceived Rahane (*scored 67 runs in 40 balls & hit 3 fours and 5 sixes) as he sliced his bat and gave a catch to Hardik Pandya at covers. KKR’s score at the end of 14 overs was 150-3. All 3 wickets were taken by Thakur only
KKR ends on a high note
Angkrish Raghuvanshi was dropped by Rohit Sharma at long on 21 on the bowling of Allah Ghazanfar when KKR’s score was 157-3 in 14.5 overs. Raghuvanshi made the most of the dropped catch who later ended up scoring 51 runs in 29 balls (*hitting 6 fours & 2 sixes).
KKR smashed 70 runs in their last 6 overs as there was carnage completely. Apart from Jasprit Bumrah & Shardul Thakur, all the bowlers conceded 10 runs per over. The wicket is quite a grassy but MI not taking early break-throughs hurt them a lot.
Who’s winning, MI or KKR
KKR would fancy their chances to win the match, given scoring 11 runs per over from the start won’t be easy at all despite the ball is coming nicely onto the bat. MI would back Rohit Sharma to give the team a rollicking start as Quinton de Kock is not in the playing 11. There are chances that Suryakumar Yadav would come in as an impact player whose inclusion would be decisive. KKR are slight favorites to win this match.
Also Read:Â MI vs KKR: KKR Injury Crisis in Focus Against MI