In a thrilling IPL match on Friday, Kolkata Knight Riders emerged victorious against five-time champions Mumbai Indians by 24 runs at Wankhede Stadium, their first away win at this venue in over a decade. KKR’s bowling unit showcased a cohesive performance, dismantling Mumbai’s batting lineup to secure a crucial win in the league.
KKR set a modest target of 170 after being bowled out for 169, with Venkatesh Iyer leading the charge, scoring 70 off 52 balls. Despite KKR’s batting struggles, MI faced an even tougher time, collapsing to 145 all out in 18.5 overs. Mumbai’s underperforming batting order crumbled on a pitch that demanded patience and precision, ultimately falling short of the target.
The last time KKR won at Wankhede, their owner Shah Rukh Khan was embroiled in a controversy that led to a three-year ban from the venue. This win, which took KKR to 14 points, keeps them in contention for a top-two finish. The victory was also significant for KKR’s hopes of replicating their 2012 championship success, which coincidentally started with a win at Wankhede.
Despite a valiant effort from Suryakumar Yadav, who scored 56 off 35 balls with six fours and two sixes, MI couldn’t sustain the momentum. Suryakumar’s innings briefly revived MI’s hopes, but Mitchell Starc’s superb bowling performance sealed the deal for KKR, with 4 wickets for 33 runs in 3.5 overs. The spin duo of Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine also played a crucial role, each taking 2 wickets and maintaining pressure on the MI batting lineup.
The lower-order collapse highlighted MI’s inability to stabilize their innings, with Ishan Kishan, Naman Dhir, and Nehal Wadhera all falling to poorly timed shots. The MI skipper, Hardik Pandya, endured a disappointing night at his home ground, as his brief innings ended after just two balls.
KKR’s aggressive approach in batting saw them struggle on a two-paced pitch. The top order was decimated before the total reached 60, but veteran Manish Pandey’s 42 off 31 balls, in partnership with Venkatesh Iyer, provided some stability. However, the last five wickets fell for just 29 runs, with Jasprit Bumrah’s yorkers proving too challenging to handle.
While KKR’s aggressive strategy may have led to a low total, their bowlers made sure to defend it with a disciplined performance. The key wickets, combined with disciplined spin bowling and sharp fielding, allowed KKR to maintain their dominance and secure their seventh win in 10 matches.
