Who won yesterday’s IPL match: After a victory in their opening fixture, KKR were looking to earn another three points against their bogey team Mumbai. MI have won a record 21 games vs KKR and were looking to extend their extraordinary record in the 2021 season too. KKR went with the same playing eleven while Mumbai welcomed back Quinton de Kock to their lineup in place of Lynn.
KKR followed an unorthodox strategy and bowled five overs of spin in the powerplay to stifle Mumbai Indians. Suryakumar Yadav was Mumbai’s saviour yet again and he was at his stylish best against the pacers and spinners. Shakib dismissed Yadav after a superb fifty and suddenly run-scoring became difficult.
MI’s middle order collapsed yet again and the champions were bowled out for 155. Russell took five wickets in just two overs and recorded his career-best figures.
Mumbai complete a superb comeback
156 looked like a straightforward target and KKR openers began the chase well. KKR were in a dominant position after the first 10 overs with Nitish Rana well settled at the crease. But the introduction of Rahul Chahar completely changed the course of the game.
All of a sudden the ball was gripping and turning as the Chennai pitch started showing its true colours. Chahar bowled quicker through the air and did not allow the batsman to adjust and play the turning deliveries. He picked up the wickets of Rana, Gill, Tripathi and Morgan to give Mumbai an opportunity to upset KKR at the death.
Despite having experienced finishers. KKR somehow managed to lose the game by 11 runs. Karthik and Russell looked clueless against the world-class duo of Boult and Bumrah. This defeat will surely hurt KKR as they have lost another game to Mumbai Indians despite controlling large parts of the game.
IPL 2021 : MI vs KKR, Who won man of the match?
Although Russell bowled two outstanding overs at the death, Rahul was the man of the match for his game-changing spell of 27/4. He extracted a lot of turn and the KKR batsmen struggled to pick his googlies. He also contributed eight runs with the bat which made all the difference in the end.
