Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders matches always have some sort of rivalry feeling in them. The team of the King Khan of Bollywood against the home of Bollywood, this is a game of huge significance.
After losing their first game, Mumbai went into this game with the hope of bouncing back. KKR , on the other hand, were fresh off a convincing win in their last game and were of the hope that they could continue their run.
However, as it turned out, a Rohit Sharma-inspired Mumbai Indians won the game with relative ease after being given a target of 188 to chase. There were plenty of memorable moments from the match that don't fade away, quite like the Axe Signature range of body perfumes.
Here are the five of the best:
Gautam Gambhir’s consistency
Once again, Gautam Gambhir played a fine knock to rap harder on the doors of the selectors of the Indian cricket team who choose to persist with Shikhar Dhawan despite his atrocious form.
For the second game in a row, Gambhir played a fine knock to give his team a good start. After being put to bat by the Indians, Gambhir took the challenge of scoring runs upon himself as he blasted his way to a calculated and carefully played 64 off just 52 balls.
His solid start gave the following batsmen a platform to continue and make a big score.
Manish Pandey’s magic
Some people label him as the ultimate one-season wonder, but it is somewhat a harsh assessment of the former Royal Challengers Bangalore player.
However, it can’t be argued that he couldn’t live up to what was expected of him... but there is still time. And today, he showed that there might still be hope.
Following Gambhir’s fine start, he added to the score by playing a nicely constructed innings of 52 off just 29 balls. This innings gave KKR the run-rate boost they required at that time, which in turn became the perfect platform for us to see a...
Rampant Andre Russell
Andre Russell is a star, a lucky charm that attracts trophies to the team he plays for—like honey attracts bees. He also attracts another thing: sixes and fours. The ease with which he smacks the ball always befuddles fans as they are left wondering whether he is a mere mortal or not.
He gave KKR the perfect slog session that they needed with just 6.2 overs to go. In just 17 balls, he smacked 36 runs with 4 sixes and a boundary to get the crowd on their feet.
Indeed, the West Indian is an asset for any team to have because of his extraordinary hitting power and ability to make a difference.
Jos Buttler’s brilliance
Jos Buttler is one of the many new inclusions in IPL this year. After a phenomenal T20I World Cup, a lot was expected of him in the tournament and he is starting to show just why Mumbai paid so much money to acquire his services.
The English ‘keeper didn’t need time to settle as he has been playing in India for over a month now and today it showed.
He came to the crease to bat the only way that he knows to: smack the bowl out of the park. With 3 sixes and 3 fours, he scored a brilliant 41 off just 22 balls—an innings which made it easier for Rohit Sharma as he had someone to share the burden with.
Rohit’s affair with Eden Gardens continues
It has been a while since Rohit Sharma played a good innings, but today was one of those days when he was unstoppable. On his day, he is the best batsman in the world—and today he was just that, the man of the match at his favourite ground – the Eden Gardens.
Chasing 188 is no easy task against a bowling line-up as strong as KKR’s. However, he made it look effortless with his exquisite batting.
Scoring a match-winning 84 off only 54 balls, littered with 10 fours and 2 sixes, he stayed till the end and made sure Mumbai didn’t lose their second game in a row.
A truly sensational performance from the local man, which reiterated the fact that he has to be at his best if MI are to defend their title.
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