In the heart of Mumbai, the iconic Wankhede Stadium set the stage for the 51st match of the IPL 2024 season, where Mumbai Indians faced off against Kolkata Knight Riders (MI vs KKR).
The clash was not just a game but a spectacle of cricketing prowess.
Let check out MI vs KKR head to head in the IPL.
MI vs KKR: Head-To-Head in IPL
32 matches played between the MI vs KKR. Mumbai Indians has won 23 matches while Kolkata Knight Riders has won 9 matches.
Toss Moment
MI won the toss and chose to field first, a decision that seemed strategic given the pitch conditions.
“We’ve chosen to bowl first, playing for our pride. It’s great to be back home and ready for an exciting match. The pitch is fresh, and we haven’t had the opportunity to play on it this season, so we feel bowling first might be advantageous. We have one change: Naman Dhir replaces Nabi in the lineup.”
Hardik Pandya, MI Skipper
“It’s all about focusing on the details and doing the small things right. Despite the dew factor, we need to stay focused and believe in our abilities. The message to the team is crystal clear; everyone knows their role, and we’re eager for a great game. We’ve decided to bat first and stick with the same lineup.”
Shreyas Iyer, KKR Skipper
MI vs KKR: First Innings
Kolkata Knight Riders Batting
KKR’s innings was a display of controlled aggression.
Venkatesh Iyer stood out with a stellar 70 off 52 balls, hitting six 4s and three 6s. Manish Pandey supported well with a quick 42 off 31 deliveries.
The rest of the batting lineup chipped in, but none could convert starts into significant scores.
KKR set a target of 170 after being bowled out for 169 in 19.5 overs.
Mumbai Indians Bowling
MI’s bowlers put up a commendable effort to restrict KKR. Jasprit Bumrah’s precision yielded 3 wickets for just 18 runs.
Nuwan Thushara and Hardik Pandya also made valuable contributions, taking 3 and 2 wickets respectively.
Piyush Chawla’s economical spell included a crucial wicket.
MI vs KKR: Second Innings
Mumbai Indians Batting
In response, MI’s Suryakumar Yadav fought valiantly, scoring a brisk 56 off 35 balls.
However, the rest of the batsmen struggled against a disciplined KKR bowling attack.
The team was eventually bundled out for 145 in 18.5 overs.
Kolkata Knight Riders Bowling
Mitchell Starc was the pick of the bowlers for KKR, claiming 4 wickets for 33 runs.
Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy took 2 wickets each, and Andre Russell’s double strike further dented MI’s hopes.
KKR’s comprehensive performance with both bat and ball ensured a victory by 24 runs over MI.
Man of the Match
Venkatesh Iyer’s match-winning innings earned him the ‘Man of the Match’ title, as his contribution was pivotal in setting up KKR’s win.
“Being adaptable is key in professional cricket, so I wanted to play a flexible role. Since I was hitting the ball well, I decided to anchor the innings, and it worked out nicely. This was the 4th or 5th time Manish was padded up, and finally, he got to bat today, all thanks to the impact player rule. It was beneficial to send someone like Manish to anchor the innings before Russell and Ramandeep.
Venkatesh Iyer, KKR
Throughout the innings, Manish guided me, offering insights on which bowlers to take on and which situations to handle. He’s an experienced campaigner, and his mentorship was invaluable. Being a smarter cricketer allows you to make better decisions. While I could have taken on Piyush Chawla or any other seamer, I chose to play according to the situation. I’m a huge fan of Dada so I sought his advice on my stance and position, which worked out well for me. It was a fruitful conversation with him.”
KKR’s Day at Wankhede The match concluded with KKR celebrating a well-deserved win.
Their all-round performance outshone MI’s efforts, and the victory margin of 24 runs reflected their dominance in the game.