Mumbai clinch last-ball thriller
Rayudu stars Miandad-style with a last-ball six.
KOLKATA:
Ambati Rayudu smashed a last-ball six as Mumbai Indians pulled off a five-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.
A sturdy performance by Jacques Kallis, who scored 59, and seamer Rajat Bhatia’s three wickets had positioned Kolkata for a win. Along the way Kallis was helped by Manoj Tiwary and Yusuf Pathan.
Mumbai struggled in their chase when they were at 96 for four in the 13th over as a tough task for Kieron Pollard and James Franklin lay ahead. Pollard lived up to expectations and Franklin kept the fight up mostly with well-placed couples.
Mumbai needed 21 to win off the last over to surpass Kolkata’s 175 for seven, but Franklin who scored 45 runs off 23 balls, hit paceman Lakshmipathy Balaji for 17 off the first five balls before Rayudu finished the game with a six.
With the knock-out stages beginning today, Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on Chennai Super Kings while Mumbai Indians face the Knight Riders. The winner of the second match will take on the loser of the first match to decide who plays the final.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 24th, 2011.
Ambati Rayudu smashed a last-ball six as Mumbai Indians pulled off a five-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.
A sturdy performance by Jacques Kallis, who scored 59, and seamer Rajat Bhatia’s three wickets had positioned Kolkata for a win. Along the way Kallis was helped by Manoj Tiwary and Yusuf Pathan.
Mumbai struggled in their chase when they were at 96 for four in the 13th over as a tough task for Kieron Pollard and James Franklin lay ahead. Pollard lived up to expectations and Franklin kept the fight up mostly with well-placed couples.
Mumbai needed 21 to win off the last over to surpass Kolkata’s 175 for seven, but Franklin who scored 45 runs off 23 balls, hit paceman Lakshmipathy Balaji for 17 off the first five balls before Rayudu finished the game with a six.
With the knock-out stages beginning today, Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on Chennai Super Kings while Mumbai Indians face the Knight Riders. The winner of the second match will take on the loser of the first match to decide who plays the final.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 24th, 2011.