Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians clashed in Match 51 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on May 3.
MI won the toss and chose to bowl first. KKR endured a dismal start, losing four wickets during the powerplay, followed by another dismissal in the first delivery after the initial six overs.
However, aided by Manish Pandey as the Impact Sub and Venkatesh Iyer, the innings found stability. Iyer amassed 70 runs off 52 balls, placing the visitors in contention with a total of 169.
KKR clinched a 24-run triumph with Mitchell Starc playing a pivotal role in the victory by claiming four wickets to limit MI's score to 145 runs.
Despite Suryakumar Yadav's commendable knock of 56 runs, the remainder of the MI batting order struggled against KKR's fast bowlers. With Yadav's dismissal, KKR concluded the innings and secured their first triumph at the Wankhede in 12 years.
How MI can qualify for IPL 2024 playoffs?
The five-time champions can now finish with a maximum of 12 points. The winner of the SRH vs LSG match will also surpass 14 points. For MI to qualify, multiple scenarios need to fall into place.
Firstly, they need to win all their games and conclude on 12 points. Additionally, the winner of the SRH vs LSG match must conclude the league stage with 16 points or more.
Furthermore, the loser of the SRH vs LSG match must also suffer three defeats and finish on 12 points.
“I mean obviously in the batting inning, we couldn’t form partnerships and kept losing wickets, in T20s if you don’t form partnerships, it will cost you. Not much, there are a lot of questions but that will take some time to answer but for now, not much to say," said Hardik Pandya after the game.
"As you mentioned, the bowlers did a fantastic job, the wicket got a little better after the first innings, the dew came on. We will go through the game and see what could we have done better. You keep fighting, that is what I tell to myself, never leave the battlefield, tough days come but good also come here, it’s challenging but challenges make you better,” he added.
It must be noted that KKR cemented their position in the top two. MI remain in the bottom half of the points table and are all but out of playoff contention.
Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a thrilling one-run victory over Rajasthan Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday to move to number four.