KKR vs MI

12:41 AM local time and IST: Always a lovely sight to see someone like Manish Pandey, who is so, so underrated, to play so well and win a Player of the Match award! So, Kolkata Knight Riders are still alive! But now, the bandwagon moves to Ahmedabad, where Gujarat Titans host Chennai Super Kings, from 7:30 PM local time. Pradeep and Bidipto are taking your leave. Keep following Sportskeeda! 

Manish Pandey (Player of the Match, 45 crucial runs off 33 balls): "Definitely feels good! KKR has been really kind to me. I've been padded up but didn't get to bat for four games, but then that partnership with Rovman (Powell) and a couple of guys, helped. Hopefully, more runs to come. A couple of boundaries got me going, I must say! If I'm not getting to play, I want to help out in some way. But the camaraderie in the camp is great! I end up spending 45 minutes in the field everyday, no matter what. That's what I look forward to, I enjoy my fielding! That never changes."

Ajinkya Rahane [Kolkata Knight Riders captain]: "The belief which we had after 6 matches was important. We actually played some good cricket, but the results weren't coming. That win here before the break, helped us gain momentum! Today, when we bowled, we knew what lengths to hit. I want to take a few names, Anukul Roy of course. Good domestic season, and it helps! Really happy for Manish Pandey! To keep working hard and staying fit, it's tremendous! MI are playing RR before our last match, so let's see what happens." 

Rovman Powell [Kolkata Knight Riders]: [On adapting to the pitch conditions]“While watching the Mumbai Indians batters earlier, I felt this was more like a typical Caribbean wicket rather than a usual IPL surface where the ball comes nicely onto the bat. It was holding a bit and demanding more patience, so I felt I understood how to approach batting on it.”[On his aggressive approach during the chase]“It wasn’t really about trying to dominate from ball one. The score itself told us that once you got a start, you could capitalise, especially with one shorter boundary on offer. It definitely wasn’t a flat wicket, but once you settled in, there were scoring opportunities. Most importantly, it felt good to contribute towards a team victory.”[On the team’s turnaround this season]“That’s the beauty of cricket. Things can change very quickly. We’ve managed to string together six wins now, but our focus remains simple — just concentrate on the final league game and play good cricket. There’s no point worrying too much about qualification scenarios or what happened earlier in the season. Whatever is meant to happen will happen.”

Hardik Pandya [Mumbai Indians captain]: [On Mumbai Indians falling short with the bat]“It was quite an entertaining game, but as a batting group, we were probably 15-20 runs short. Losing wickets in the powerplay hurt us, and if Tilak and I had managed to build a longer partnership, we could have pushed the total to a much stronger position and given ourselves a better chance in the game.”[On the nature of the pitch]“To be honest, I actually enjoy playing on wickets like these where the bowlers have something to work with. T20 cricket, especially in the IPL, has become heavily dominated by batters, and bowlers often feel helpless. Today’s surface offered enough assistance to reward good bowling, which made it a proper contest between bat and ball.”[On Mumbai’s fielding struggles]“Our fielding hasn’t been up to the mark this season, and we’ve dropped quite a few catches. No one does it intentionally, but there’s no hiding from the fact that missed chances can completely change the course of a game. If you want to win consistently, you have to take your opportunities, even the half chances, otherwise you end up chasing the game.”[On the final game of the season]“We still have one game left, and it’s a special one because it’s dedicated to children. We want to make it memorable for the 25,000 kids coming to watch us play. Hopefully we can entertain them, put smiles on their faces, and give them memories they’ll cherish for a long time.”

12:17 AM local time and IST: Kolkata Knight Riders win by 4 wickets with 7 balls to spare! 

Manish Pandey 45 (33) | Cameron Green - 2/23 (3)
Corbin Bosch - 32* (18) and 3/30 (3)

Even though it got a bit interesting towards the end, Kolkata Knight Riders pick up their sixth win in seven matches to stay alive! 

Mumbai Indians simply didn't have enough runs on the board. Yes the bowlers tried their best, wickets did fall, very much at regular intervals, but, it was just not to be for them! 

Angkrish Raghuvanshi didn't bat, as he got subbed out due to concussion. Finn Allen didn't last more than an over. And, there were a few moments in the field that really should have gone Mumbai's way, but they let themselves down. 

Corbin Bosch did everything tonight! Batted well, bowled well and took ad superb catch at backward point! Jasprit Bumrah got a wicket too. Spin had a say on this deck, but as we said first up, MI just didn't have enough in the bank.

It wasn't an easy pitch to bat on, but that impressive knock from who else by Manish Pandey, who used to finish many a game for KKR back in the day, helped immensely! He batted sensibly and took his chances when needed. 

That partnership for the 4th wicket between Rovman Powell and Manish Pandey, kind of got the job done. Yes there were a few blips after that for the hosts. Tejasvi Dahiya, who was sent out as the concussion sub, didn't necessarily enjoy his time out in the middle. However, with Rinktu Singh there, finishing wasn't a problem for the home side! 

18.5 Will Jacks to Rinku Singh, FOUR! THAT'S IT! KKR stay alive and kicking here! Rinku hits the winning runs, finishes the game in style. Length delivery on the stumps, Rinku smacked it down to long-on for a boundary. MI lose their ninth game in the season and KKR go into the last game of their campaign with a must win situation.

18.3 Will Jacks to Anukul Roy, OH! Despairing diving effort, but goes out of reach and KKR pick up three. Length delivery outside the off-stump, Roy lunges and lofted it over extra-cover. Dhar running in, dives full stretch as the ball lands safely.

18.2 Will Jacks to Anukul Roy, OH! Now a leading edge that doesn't carry to short cover. Angled into the leg-stump, Roy comes forward to defend, but skews off the outside edge.

18.1 Will Jacks to Anukul Roy, OH DEAR! In the air, almost carried to Bumrah at backward point. Flighted on a length in the channel, Roy into the drive and finds the outside edge.