Pandey stars as KKR put on 178 for 7 against Mumbai

Photo: AFP

New Delhi: Riding on a brilliant Manish Pandey half century Kolkata Knight Riders posted 178 for 7 against Mumbai Indians in an IPL match at Mumbai.

The right handed middle order batsman hit 2 sixes and 2 fours in the last over off Mitchell McClenaghan to give a grand finish to the innings. Unlike the previous game though, it was hard work for the KKR batsmen as Mumbai Indians spinners put the brakes on them. Only Pandey looked apart with his depth touches. 

Coming in to bat at No. 4, Pandey scored 81off 47 with 5 hits to the fence and 5 over them.

Put in to bat, the opening pair of Gambhir and Lynn which put on the highest ever opening stand of IPL in the previous match got off to a rollicking start thanks to some sloppy bowling by Bumrah.

Just when it was looking downhill for the hosts, captain Rohit Sharma got left arm spinner Krunal Pandya into the attack. The move did wonders; Pandya removed opposition captain Gambhir for 19 and then got Robin Uthappa (4) in the same over.

The telling blow was given by Jasprit Bumrah, who trapped previous match hero Chris Lynn right in front for 32.

Manish then resurrected the KKR innings with Suryakumar Yadav (17) before the latter was foxed by a Malinga slower one.

For Mumbai it was all-rounder Krunal Pandya who was the hero. The all-rounder returned with impressive figures of 3 for 24. 

Joining the Mumbai side after returning from national duties Lasith Malinga did not do any harm to his reputation by picking up 2 wickets for 36 runs.