Published: May 14, 2017, 01:53 PM (IST)
Edited: May 14, 2017, 01:53 PM (IST)
On a two-paced Eden Gardens pitch, Mumbai Indians (MI) slogged but posted a competitive total of 173 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). MI’s comeback men Saurabh Tiwary and Ambati Rayudu scored fifties, keeping them in good stead. Meanwhile, KKR slumped and were brought down to 53 for 4. But Manish Pandey and Colin de Grandhomme’s 41-run stand snatched the game from MI for a while. However, the mighty Mumbai found their way back, dismissing de Grandhomme first and then the other batsmen while completing 100 T20 wins. Tiwary played his first match this season and credited the team management to provide opportunity to bench strength. Full Cricket Scorecard: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Mumbai Indians (MI), IPL 2017, Match 54
Speaking to iplt20/BCCI after the match, Tiwary said, “The good part by the team management was that despite not playing we were provided good net sessions. So we were mentally prepared to come out and play anytime when the call arrived. But it gets difficult when you come to bat after a long time. The preparations we had, it did not seem like it was a second Mumbai Indians side playing. We have very good bench strength. Despite not playing for the side, you get to interact with the teammates who are playing the matches.”
Tiwary was dismissed due to a mix-up between Rayudu and himself. However, he took the blame for the same. “It was not a late reaction. I felt there was no need of a run then. When you are slogging, one finds the need to run in every ball. So that was not wrong. It was my fault that I did not run,” said Tiwary.
The KKR and MI clash was under threat due to rain. But the game was played after half an hour delay with the pitch conditions surprising the players. Tiwary concluded, “Initially the wicket was two-paced. So the batting got difficult. Later the wicket got better. If we have to do comparisons between first and second innings, KKR had upper hand in terms of batting.”
