Image source, BCCI/IPL
For the Mumbai Indians, the question would have been the same as it was for the student writing the exam if the question had come from a course that had not been conducted. That question was asked by Kolkata Knight Riders’ Bad Cummins. His game was unexpected for anyone.
Cummins finished the game in one over with 35 off 30 balls. The six and four he hit in the previous Bumrah over were reminiscent of his old innings. The next over thrown by Daniel Sams was enough for Cummins to finish the game.
Cummins, who hit a half-century off 14 balls, equaled the record for the fastest half-century. His 56 runs include six sixes and four fours.
No one would have expected Cummins to play such a game. “He was bowling all the balls during training,” said Venkatesh Iyer.
Cummins wondered why. Speaking after the match, Cummins said he “did not know how this happened.”
Despite the low run target, Venkatesh Iyer’s half-century, Kolkata could not have won without Cummins’ action.
What happened?
The Mumbai Indians, thirsty for their first win of the current season, and Kolkata, in the quest for a third win, played a multi-match series at the Pune ground. Five-time champions Mumbai have lost the first two matches they have played this season.
It was in this context that the Mumbai Indians met the Kolkata team with the positive attitude of having the most wins against them in IPL history. Kolkata, on the other hand, was ready to give Mumbai a crisis with a restructured team.
Kolkata won the toss and elected to field. Captain Rohit Sharma and Ishant Kishan were the opening batsmen in the quest for the biggest score as the Himalayan scores were easily reached this season.
Cheated starters
But the start was not so favorable for the Mumbai team. Team captain Rohit faced 12 balls and scored only 3 runs before Umesh Yadav was bowled out. Umesh Yadav has slipped at least one wicket into the power play in the ongoing 15th season of the IPL.
Image source, BCCI/IPL
Rohit’s wicket was followed by a bang from South Africa’s youngster Devald Previs. This is his first match in the IPL. Compared to the AB de Villiers in match-fixing, he added a slew of runs. 2 sixes and 2 fours by Vlasia Privis added 29 off 19 balls.
He moved the game briskly and was stumped by Varun Chakraborty. Following this, Suryakumar Yadav, who is proud to have saved Mumbai from a slump in several matches, banged on.
Ishant Kishan at the other end was struggling to add runs though he was adding runs in his usual style.
Ishaan, who faced 21 balls, lost the wicket to fast bowler Cummins after scoring only 14 runs. Following this, Tilak Verma, one of the most talked about players of the current season, made his debut. He formed a strong alliance with Suryamaru and scored 38 off 27 balls. Was knocked out.
Half-century bowler Suryakumar returned to the pavilion for 52 runs. In the final overs, Pollard struck like a lion’s dream for the bowlers.
With 5 balls remaining in the last over, he struck six off 3 balls. Stumbling at one point in the innings, Mumbai reached an average of 162 for 5 in 20 overs with the help of Suryakumar, Tilak and Pollard.
Stumbling Kolkata
Following this, the Kolkata Knight Riders were ready to chase down the target with a positive intent, having won both of their chase matches this season. Rahane and youngster Venkatesh were the opening batsmen.
Image source, BCCI/IPL
Veteran Rahane was dismissed for 7 while Kolkata were left reeling. Later captain Shreyas Iyer was disappointed to be dismissed for 10 off 6 balls.
He was followed by Sam Billings (17) and Nitish Rana (8) who returned to the pavilion. Kolkata stumbled for just 83 runs for the loss of 4 wickets at the end of 11.4 overs. In such an environment bang on the team’s main trump cards
Cummins’ hurricane game
One is Andre Russell. Facing 5 balls, he took 11 runs and was stunned by the loss. But Venkatesh, one of the openers at the other end, was casually adding runs. He was paired with former team captain Pat Cummins at a critical juncture.
Cummins spun the bat unpredictably from the start. Revealing an intimidating game he rained sixes. After 15 overs, 35 runs were required in the last 5 overs.
Cummins hit 35 off just 16 overs, including 3 sixes and 2 fours, off Daniel Sams. He completed his half-century off 14 balls and won the toss and elected to field.
Cummins also shares with KL Rahul the proud list of half-century bowlers in the IPL. Vlasi Cummins (56 off 15 balls) and Venkatesh (50 off 41 balls) were unbeaten till the last over.
With this stunning victory, Kolkata advanced to the top of the points table, recording its 3rd win of the current season. The Kolkata team, which has played 7 matches at the Pune ground, has won all of them.
On the other hand, following the defending champions Chennai, Mumbai also suffered a hat-trick defeat. Both teams will play their 4th match next Saturday. Which of these two proud teams who have won the IPL title more times will get their first win?