KEY HIGHLIGHTS
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Match 32 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 edition saw defending champions Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians (MI) lock horns with their bogey team in the form of Eoin Morgan-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Abu Dhabi on Friday evening (October 16).
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After Dinesh Karthik stepped aside for Morgan to take over the reins, the two-time winners still couldn’t get over the line against four-time champions MI.
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Beating KKR convincingly by 49 runs in the earlier clash, MI came to the clash on the back of successive wins. Losing the toss, MI bowlers were up to the mark from the word go as KKR lost wickets at regular intervals.
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Rahul Tripathy, who returned to the top order, perished soon as Trent Boult struck early. On the other hand, Shubman Gill started off cautiously as he also lost Nitish Rana, whose poor form continued.
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Resigning as KKR captain earlier in the day, Karthik was out in the middle with the scoreboard reading 33-2.
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The 35-year-old wicket-keeper batsman couldn’t do much as he dragged onto the stumps, playing a sweep, off Rahul Chahar. Chahar maintained the pressure and was also rewarded with Gill’s wicket (who fell one ball before Karthik) as KKR slumped further.
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The onus fell on newly-appointed captain Morgan and power-hitter Andre Russell. However, the West Indian’s willow continued to fare poorly as he was dismissed for 9 courtesy sharp bouncer from Jasprit Bumrah.
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The Indian pacer followed Russell, who made room on the off-side as the big-hitter took his eyes off and the ball hit his bat to give an easy catch to Quinton de Kock.
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From thereon, KKR’s innings recovered courtesy an unbeaten 77-run stand between all-rounder Pat Cummins and Morgan.
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While the left-hander only imploded in the last over, Cummins’ free-flowing approach, along with reading the slower ones, resulted in him returning with his maiden T20 fifty (53*).
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In reply, MI openers De Kock and Rohit stitched an impressive 94-run stand for the opening wicket. Though de Kock was on song and timing it really well, Rohit took some time and joined the party later. While Cummins and Chris Green kept it tight, they couldn’t get early wickets whereas Prasidh Krishna remained expensive.
Quinton de Kock is adjudged the Man of the Match for his match-winning knock of 78* off 44 deliveries.#Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/b0BHSsHbyn
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 16, 2020
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Shivam Mavi and Varun Chakraborty led to the dismissals of Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav. However, KKR were far away from the game due to De Kock’s onslaught. Thus, it was a stroll in the park for the MI franchise as they romped past KKR by 8 wickets and 19 balls to spare.
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With this win, MI topple Shreyas Iyer-led Delhi Capitals (DC) to regain the top spot in IPL 2020. In addition, they now lead KKR 21-6 in the overall head-to-head battle. In the last 12 face-offs, MI now lead KKR 11-1.
A comprehensive win for the @mipaltan here in Abu Dhabi. They win by 8 wickets against #KKR.
Quinton de Kock remains unbeaten on 78.#Dream11IPL. pic.twitter.com/BDhMILSKI0
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 16, 2020
United diagnosticss
#MumbaiIndians are back on top in the Points Table after Match 32 of #Dream11IPL. pic.twitter.com/eRf9uQ2YRq
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 16, 2020
