Gautam Gambhir scored a solid half-century, while Manish Pandey and Suryakumar Yadav played attractive cameos to help Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) open their account with a win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in the opening match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 against on Wednesday. Rohit Sharma‘s excellent 98 not out went in vain as the Knight Riders managed to overhaul the total with consummate ease. With this win, KKR reach the top of the IPL 2015 points table. Full scorecard: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Mumbai Indians (MI), IPL 2015
Gambhir did not start in convicting fashion, with Vinay Kumar breaking his bat before Gambhir had scored a run. He settled in well after that though, and went on to score a solid fifty. After Robin Uthappa was dismissed for nine by Corey Anderson, out caught at slip by Harbhajan Singh, Pandey came out all guns blazing. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Mumbai Indians (MI) IPL 2015 match 1: Highlights
Pandey scored a sizzling 24-ball 40 with two fours and three sixes. He and Gambhir added a vital 85 runs to ensure that KKR were always in the chase. After Pandey’s dismissal, Suryakumar came in and took over from him. Gambhir completed his fifty but was out soon thereafter. At 121 for three in the 15th over, MI would have sensed a chance. But Suryakumar — with 46 not out off 20 balls — and Yusuf Pathan ensured that KKR cantered home to a win.
Earlier, Rohit continued his love affair with Eden Gardens, scoring a terrific 98 not out and carrying on his form from ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, but he did not get a lot of support from the other batsmen early on. Corey Anderson then came good, scoring a brutal 55 not out as the duo led MI to a commanding 168 for three.
Rohit opened the batting with Aaron Finch, but the latter was out early, top-edging a pull shot to Umesh Yadav at square leg. Aditya Tare came in at No. 3 and started well before getting foxed by Shakib Al Hasan and holing out to Umesh. Ambati Rayudu was hurried by Morne Morkel, and edged to Yusuf Pathan at slip for a duck to leave MI reeling at 37 for three in the sixth over. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2015, Preview: A well-balanced unit with a hunger for success
That brought out Corey Anderson to bat with Rohit. Though Anderson did not get going straight away, he ensured that no more wickets were lost. Rohit looked secure as well, and absolutely exploded in the 15th over, hitting Umesh for three fours and a six en route to his half-century. Anderson was dropped by Andre Russell off Shakib on 23 in the very next over, as MI continued their charge. Mumbai Indians in IPL 2015: Rohit Sharma’s men approach upcoming season with renewed vigour to regain lost glory
Rohit continued his sublime form, mixing his characteristic caresses and lofted drives as he scored a pristine 65-ball 98 not out. Anderson got his half-century off the final ball of the innings with a six to remain unbeaten on 55 off 41 deliveries as the partnership for the fourth wicket yielded 131 unbroken runs. Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015: Complete coverage
Brief scores:
Mumbai Indians 168 for 3 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 98*, Corey Anderson 55*; Morne Morkel 2 for 18) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders 170 for 3 in 18.3 overs (Gautam Gambhir 57, Manish Pandey 40, Suryakumar Yadav 46*; Corey Anderson 1 for 21) by 7 wickets.
Man of the Match: Morne Morkel
(Shiamak Unwalla, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a self-confessed Sci-Fi geek and Cricket fanatic. His Twitter handle is @ShiamakUnwalla)
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