Never easy to be on the line all the time and be desperate for wins towards the second half: Rohit Sharma

It was a brilliant performance by the Mumbai Indians in the 42^nd match of Vivo IPL 11 as they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 102 runs to cruise to their 5^th victory of the campaign. It was a much-needed victory for Mumbai. They needed it badly to keep their hopes alive and buoy they did that in style. After being put in to bat Mumbai posted a gigantic score of 210 in their allotted 20 overs.

The openers gave Mumbai a perfect start. However, after their dismissals, Mumbai was little down on the scoring rate. Skipper Rohit Sharma wasn’t able to find the boundaries. The KKR bowlers were up to the mark till the 10^th over when Ishan Kishan came out to the crease. The southpaw after getting beaten by a Kuldeep Yadav delivery started taking on the chinaman bowler with disdain.

The Pocket-sized dynamo struck a sensational knock of 62 of just 21 deliveries which included 4 fours and 6 sixes. It was clean hitting at it’s very best and it was great to see the 19-year-old smashing international level bowlers all around the park. In the end, it was a quick cameo by Ben Cutting which eventually helped Mumbai post a gigantic total of 210/6 in their allotted 20 overs.

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After Hardik’s 12 balls 19, it was Cutting who scored 24 of just 9 deliveries. It included 3 big sixes and a four. Eventually, Krunal Pandya struck a last ball which took Mumbai to the 210 mark. Kolkata needed to get off to a sensational start to harbour hopes of chasing the total down. However, it wasn’t to be as Kolkata kept losing wickets on a consistent basis.

The Mumbai bowlers all over Kolkata and they were just unable to find any answers. Chris Lynn got of to a great start but was run out when he looked quite dangerous. In the end, the target proved to be impossible for Kolkata. Courtesy their huge victory, Mumbai also goes to the 4^th position. They now have the most superior net run-rate in the tournament.

Now here is what winning skipper Rohit Sharma said at the post-match presentation

As a team we tend to pick up during the month of May. Hope we do it sooner. Never easy to be on the line all the time and be desperate for wins towards the second half. Would like to start the tournament on a high. But in the past three years, we’ve been at the bottom of the table. I’m glad we came together and performed as a team today. Without a doubt, the way Ishan Kishan batted fearlessly, that was the changing point. I was assessing the pitch at that point, ball was sticking in the pitch, it wasn’t easy, but he changed the game. We were 65 after first ten overs, but scoring 145 in last ten overs is a magnificent effort by all the batters. Ben Cutting as well, he hasn’t been getting many opportunities as well, it’s not easy to come out and play shots like that. We as a team are prepared to post a total or chase down what is put in front of us. Can’t do much with the toss. Have to come out here and play good cricket. Last few games, the team has come together and taken responsibility.

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