Rohit leads Mumbai to victory

Mumbai, April 28

Riding on skipper Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten 68 alongside Kieron Pollard’s quickfire 17-ball 51, defending champions Mumbai Indians outclassed Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets here on Thursday. Batting first, KKR posted a competitive total of 174/5 in 20 overs, thanks to skipper Gautam Gambhir’s 45-ball 59.

In reply, Rohit struck 68 not out off just 49 balls as the hosts chased down the target comfortably in 18 overs. Rohit smashed eight boundaries and two sixes, while Pollard, who also remained unbeaten, smashed six sixes and two boundaries to take the team to victory.

Chasing a challenging target of 175, the home side got off to a disappointing start, losing in-form opener Parthiv Patel (1) in the second over itself. But skipper Rohit Sharma used his experience to score runs at a good pace to help his side reach 64/1 after the completion of Powerplay.

He was supported well by Ambati Rayudu (32). The duo raised a much-needed 50-run partnership for the second wicket in just 27 balls keep the team firmly on track. But Shakib Al Hasan dismissed Rayudu in the seventh over to put an end to the good partnership. New batsman Krunal Pandya (6) failed to impress as his dismissal in the ninth over reduced Mumbai to 78/2.

Despite wickets falling at the other end, Rohit stayed calm and brought up yet another half-century in just 36 balls, taking the team past the 100-run mark in the 12th over. After the dismissal of Jos Buttler (15), Kieron Pollard smashed Rajagopal Sathish for 23 runs in the 16th over to put Mumbai firmly on the victory path.

Sunil Narine (2/22) was the pick of the bowlers for Kolkata, while Shakib Al Hasan and Umesh Yadav claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, put in to bat, in-form openers Gambhir and Robin Uthappa (36) got KKR off to a flying start, scoring 59 at the completion of Powerplay. The home team missed a golden chance to dismiss the KKR skipper as pacer Mitchell McClenaghan dropped a skier off his own bowling in the Powerplay – Gambhir was batting at eight then. Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan gave the much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Uthappa in the eighth over. Shakib Al Hasan (6) too departed early, leaving the visitors at 77/2.

Despite losing two quick wickets, Gambhir kept his cool and used his experience to help the team post 85/2 after 10 overs. He was well supported at the other end by Suryakumar Yadav (21). Gambhir kept his good form going, as he struck yet another half-century in just 39 balls to help KKR post a fighting total.

Scoreboard

Kolkata

R Uthappa c Pollard b H Singh 36

G Gambhir c Pollard b McClenaghan 59

S Al Hasan c Patel b H Pandya 6

S Yadav c&b Southee 21

A Russell b Southee 22

C Lynn not out 10

Y Pathan not out 19

Extras (w 1) 1

Total (5 wickets in 19.6 overs) 174 

Fall of wickets: 1-69, 2-77, 3-121, 4-130, 5-145  

Bowling

Southee 4-0-38-2

McClenaghan 4-0-33-1

Bumrah 4-0-34-0

H Singh 4-0-32-1

H Pandya 2-0-15-1

K Pandya 2-0-21-0

Mumbai

R Sharma not out 68

P Patel c Pathan b U Yadav 1

A Rayudu c S Yadav b S Al Hasan 32

K Pandya b Narine 6

J Buttler c Lynn b Narine 15

K Pollard not out 51

Extras (w 5) 5 

Total (4 wickets; 18 overs) 178

Fall of wickets: 1-8 2-67 3-78 4-106 

Bowling

J Unadkat 3-0-49-0

U Yadav 2-0-19-1

S Al Hasan 4-0-30-1

S Narine 4-0-22-2

R Sathish 2-0-30-0

A Russell 3-0-28-0

MOM: Rohit Sharma