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.
In the second innings, MI introduced Rohit Sharma as their Impact Player and scored 20 runs off 13 deliveries. 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.
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.
