Pat Cummins and Venkatesh Iyer played knocks of 56 and 50 respectively as Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Mumbai Indians by five wickets in the 14th game of IPL 2022 season at the MCA Stadium in Pune.
Cummins came into bat in the 14th over after Andre Russell’s dismissal. The match was finely balanced at that point, with Kolkata needing 61 from 41 balls.
However, Cummins was absolutely sensational with his big hitting and clubbed an unbeaten 56 off only 15 balls, with four fours and six sixes, to make a mockery of the target.
He began with a six and four off Tymal Mills to end the 14th over. Jasprit Bumrah was then clattered for a six and a four. With 35 needed off five overs, Mumbai still had faint hopes. It evaporated in no time as Cummins bludgeoned the first four balls from Daniel Sams for 6,4,6,6.
Kolkata romped home in 16 overs as Pat Cummins equaled the record for the fastest IPL fifty.
Pat Cummins finishes things off in style!
Also brings up the joint fastest half-century in #TATAIPL off 14 deliveries.#KKR win by 5 wickets with 24 balls to spare.
Scorecard – https://t.co/22oFJJzGVN #KKRvMI #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/r5ahBcIWgR
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 6, 2022
Earlier, suryakumar Yadav’s fine fifty, Tilak Verma’s solid 38-run knock, Dewald Brevis’ impressive IPL debut and Kieron Pollard’s last over cameo knock of 22 runs off just 5 balls helped Mumbai Indians post 161 for 4 after being asked to bat first by Kolkata Knight Riders.
Kieron Pollard also chipped in with a quickfire
However, Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra feels that experienced Mumbai Indians all-rounder Kieron Pollard needs to take greater responsibility for the team in IPL 2022.
Mumbai have suffered in their first three matches due to a weak middle order. Yesterday also they bit slow in middle overs.
Chopra said that Pollard will need to bring his experience into play and lift his game. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he opined:
“In the middle-order, Mumbai have Kieron Pollard. Kieron Pollard will need to take greater responsibility. He can get to bat 10 overs, which means there will be enough opportunity for him to play a match-winning knock. He needs to lift his game.” he said
Pollard has scored three , 22 and 22 off 5 balls in the three matches played so far.