IPL 2021 | MI vs KKR: What Experts Said after KKR unleash a 'terrific' performance

Kolkata Knight Riders rode on an emphatic batting display from Venkatesh Iyer and Rahul Tripathi to etch a comfortable win against Mumbai Indians by 7 wickets. Playing a crucial game in the context of the tournament KKR won by 29 balls to spare boosting their run-rate by a huge margin and pulling themselves up to the fourth spot on the table. 

Chasing 156 runs, openers Shubman Gill and Iyer gave KKR a brisk start as the two batsmen put 40 runs on the board for the first wicket in just three overs. Gill departed for 13 off 9 deliveries while Iyer went on to notch up his maiden IPL fifty. 

On the other side, Rahul Tripathi who came in at number three unleashed an onslaught against the MI bowlers and dominated with a 42-ball 74* that included three maximums and eight fours during the course. 

For Mumbai, it was only Jasprit Bumrah who was among the wickets after he scalped a three-wicket haul but at the cost of 43 runs in 4 overs. 

Earlier, in the day, MI after batting first managed to put 155/6 in 20 overs. The Rohit Sharma-led side had a decent start after the skipper and wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock put up 78 runs for the first wicket. 

Rohit eventually departed for 33 off 30 while de Kock struck a half-century. But MI lost wickets at regular intervals at a later stage of the innings as the KKR bowlers pulled things back nicely. 

MI captain Rohit Sharma admitted that they did get a good start but lost the way in the middle. 

“Few areas (went wrong). We started really well but didn't get enough towards the back end. I thought it was a good pitch, we failed to capitalize on the start we got and we didn't bowl well at the start,” he said after the match. 

KKR skipper Eoin Morgan said that beating MI in a comprehensive manner will give them a lot of confidence. “Well it's been a long time coming. Since Baz (McCullum) has taken over last year, the way we have played in the last two games is the way our coach wants us to play. It suits our talent to play this way. To hold such a strong Mumbai Indians side to 155 and chase this down gives us confidence,” the left-handed batter said. 

Experts’ Opinion

Commentator Harsha Bhogle lavished praise on KKR and even added that they are in contention for the play-off spots. “The KKR before the break were unrecognisable from this team. They are in serious contention now for a play-off spot,” he tweeted. 

Senior journalist Ayaz Memon lauded KKR for their patience despite MI’s positive start and the way the side fought their way back. 

“Terrific performance by revitalised KKR. Kept their nerve despite Rohit and de Kock running up fine opening partnership, fought back to restrict MI to 155, then chased target with sizzling aggression of Iyer & Tripathi. Not seen MI get hammered like this in a long time,” he wrote on Twitter. 

Former India batsman Aakash Chopra went on to say that he won’t be ‘surprised’ if MI don’t qualify for the play-offs. “And won’t be surprised if MI doesn’t qualify for the playoffs,” Chopra tweeted. 

Former India pacer RP Singh echoed what Harsha Bhogle said that KKR are surely in contention for a play-offs spot. 

“Suddenly, KKR is a serious contender for play-off after two wins in a row. But, it is unusual for MI to see that Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and Pandya brothers not contributing enough,” he posted on Twitter. 

KKR will now take on CSK in Abu Dhabi while MI will play RCB in Dubai on Sunday.