IPL 2017: MI vs KKR, SK Play of the Match, Nitish Rana's scooped six
Mumbai Indians trounced Kolkata Knight Riders by four wickets courtesy a spectacular effort from Nitish Rana and Hardik Pandya in the last four overs of the game. Mumbai looked well and truly out of the game before Rana and Pandya slammed 60 in the last four to take them home at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The standout player, Rana, looked outstanding and even played a brilliant Dilscoop like shot, which is the "SK Play of the Match"
Watch Rana’s scoop shot here
Rana was looking in the form of his life and when batsmen are in that zone these days, the unorthodox shots come out and more often than not they time it to perfection. Rana stunned his fans when he walked across his off-stump against Ankit Rajpoot and scooped him over the wicket-keeper for a maximum. It was a low full toss from Rajpoot but Rana, who had already moved across, just deftly timed it over the keeper and the fence.
Extra Cover: IPL 2017: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders, SK Player of the Day, Nitish Rana
Rana has been part of the Mumbai set-up since 2015, received four games at the fag end of the last season and a timely 70 in one of those games pushed his case for a place in the starting XI in this season. Rana made a useful 34 against Rising Pune Supergiants but his best was reserved for Kolkata.
After Mumbai seemed to have lost their way in the middle overs, Rana resurrected the innings with some lusty blows. Rana raced from 25 to 50 in just 8 balls, while adding 41 with Pandya in 14 balls.
The southpaw is a fine striker of the cricket ball and had previously scored 70 off 36 balls when batting at No. 3. Mumbai sprung a surprise by promoting him again and Rana did not disappoint. Mumbai seem to have unearthed a fine young talent who could change their fortunes in this season.
Extra Cover: IPL 2017: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 5 Talking Points
Rana hit the maximum sixes in the 2015-16 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and is a predominantly leg side player. However, the batsman looked technically good in his whirlwind knock yesterday. His balance and timing were impeccable and he played sensibly when Mumbai lost Rohit Sharma and Pollard quickly.
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“We were hoping Rana and Hardik would finish it off and they did. It's important for any team to have young players come in like that and finish the job. I hope they repeat it,” Rohit Sharma said at the post-match presentation ceremony when asked about Rana and Hardik Pandya.