Mumbai Indians during the 70th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL), on Sunday, enjoyed a sensational last-ball victory over Kolkata Knight Riders and lifted themselves up to the third place in the points table.
Mumbai, who had to achieve the target of 176 runs, given by Kolkata, displayed excellent team work, especially in the ending overs.
During the last overs, they needed 21 runs to win, when James Franklin and Ambati Rayudu were on the crease. Franklin scored 17 runs in the first five balls of the last over, which was being delivered by medium-pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji. Rayudu however, hit a low full toss for a six, guiding his side to splendid five-wicket victory.
Franklin was awarded the Player of the Match title, as he was the top scorer for his side with an unbeaten 45 off 23 balls.
The left-arm medium pacer also gave a remarkable bowling show, picking up two wickets for 35. On the other hand, Rayudu scored an unbeaten 17 off six balls, including two sixes.
Although, the opener Tirumalasetti Suman just scored four runs before he was caught by Yusuf Pathan off the bowling of Iqbal Abdulla, the skipper Sachin Tendulkar along with Harbhajan Singh set a considerable partnership of 57 runs.
Mumbai’s second dismissal was seen when Harbhajan was caught by Manoj Tiwary after scoring 30 off 29 balls.
The Indian batting maestro, Tendulkar added 38 runs off 27 balls including six fours.
Mumbai entered the ongoing IPL edition with a bang, and have been dominant throughout the tournament.
However, their last defeats to Kings XI Punjab, Deccan Chargers and Rajasthan Royals, brought a decline in their IPL standing.
With this defeat, Kolkata are now pushed down at the fourth place in the IPL rankings with eight wins, out of their 14 matches played so far.
Jacques Kallis, was top scorer for his side, scoring 59 runs off 42 balls, including four fours and three sixes.
Mumbai will now face Kolkata in an Eliminator, to be played on May 25, at Wankhede Stadium.
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