South African opening batsman Quinton de Kock fell for a duck as the Mumbai Indians lost to the Kolkata Knight Riders by 34 runs in Sunday’s Indian Premier League fixture at Eden Gardens.
The result pushed the Knight Riders from seventh to fifth position in the 2019 tournament’s eight-team log, while Mumbai remained fifth. Both teams are still in contention for a berth in the playoffs alongside the Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, and one other.
Half-centurions Shubman Gill, Chris Lynn and Andre Russell stood at the fore of Kolkata’s 232 for two – the highest total of this season’s IPL.
Russell was singularly impressive en route to 80 not out from just 40 deliveries. He especially capitalised against Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga through the closing overs.
The hard-hitting right-hander is now the second-highest run-scorer in this year’s competition, after Sunrisers Hyderabad star David Warner.
De Kock was caught by Russell at deep square-leg early in Mumbai’s pursuit. All-rounder Hardik Pandya later struck a near century. His 91 from 34 featured nine sixes – one more than Russell – and entertained throughout.
Russell, again, was at hand to take the catch that ended Pandya’s stay. The right-armer seamer had earlier removed middle-order batsman Evin Lewis and Suryakumar in a memorable Player of the Match performance.
Monday will see the Sunrisers Hyderabad host the Kings XI Punjab in Uppal.
Photo: SPORTZPICS for BCCI
