KKR restricted to 169, but MI top-order struggle

KKR’s Venkatesh Iyer during his 70 against MI at Wankhede yesterday. Pic/Atul Kamble

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batters didn't pierce the field with relish like they have done so most of the time this season. At the time of going to press, MI were in trouble at 71-5 in 11 overs. The Wankhede Stadium pitch did not turn out to be an easy one for them as they were bundled out for a mere 169 in 19.5 overs on Friday. The pitch, combined with some disciplined bowling from the hosts, destroyed KKR's ambitions of an intimidating total.

MI's Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara (3-42) emerged the pick of the overseas bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah claimed 3-18. The dangerous Rinku Singh was caught and bowled by Piyush Chawla for nine, failing to tackle the veteran leggie's trajectory. By the end of the Powerplay, KKR had lost their top four batsmen with just 57 runs on the board.

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Manish Pandey (42 off 31 balls, 2x4, 2x6), who got an opportunity as an Impact Player, joined Venkatesh Iyer (52-ball 70, 6x4, 3x6) and they put on 83 runs in 64 balls. Venkatesh needed 36 balls to get his fifty, in which he showcased aggression as well as patience to help his team cross the 150-run mark. Pandey too played a crucial role before missing his half-century by eight runs. Pandey became MI skipper Hardik Pandya's second victim.

KKR were struggling at 156-9 after 18 overs, but thanks to Venkatesh, who hit a couple of fours and a six off Thushara in the 19th over, KKR managed to reach 169. Earlier, Thushara landed a big blow when KKR opener Phil Salt's (5) leading edge went to point fielder Tilak Varma.

Brief scores
KKR 169 all out in 20 overs (V Iyer 70, M Pandey 42; J Bumrah 3-18, N Thushara 3-42, H Pandya 2-44) v MI (scores incomplete)