IPL 2017: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 5 Talking Points
The game between Mumbai Indians and the Kolkata Knight Riders was synonymous to a roller-coaster ride as both teams had their fans at the edge of their seats, right till the penultimate delivery of the game.
Extra Cover: IPL 2017: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Player Ratings
Mumbai, after slumping to defeat against Pune in their opening game, were in dire requisite of a victory. Kolkata Knight Riders, on the contrary, oozed confidence after a thumping win over Gujarat Lions. Nevertheless, the fortunes turned as Mumbai edged past Kolkata by four wickets in a thriller at the Wankhede Stadium.
We take you through along five burning talking points from the riveting contest in the seventh encounter of IPL 2017.
#5 Krunal Pandya’s crucial strikes
The Knight Riders got themselves off to yet another flier with Gautam Gambhir and Chris Lynn carrying on the good work from their previous contest. However, the left-arm spin of Krunal Pandya broke the stand as Gambhir attempted a slog sweep over square leg only to find the bucket-like hands of Mitchell McClenaghan.
Robin Uthappa, after being demoted from the opener’s slot to No. 3, couldn’t quite set the stage on fire as he perished after scorching a solitary boundary. Following a streaky boundary down to third man, Uthappa went for the slog-sweep over mid-wicket, but unfortunately, the ball traced into the hands of the younger Pandya, Hardik.
The Knight Riders were sitting pretty at 44 without loss, but Pandya’s scalps pulled things back for Mumbai by getting rid of the two stalwarts from the Kolkata franchise and also putting a lid on the run fest.