Picture Credit: BCCI/ Associated Press
Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane and youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi delivered fluent knocks to steer their side to 220/4 in 20 overs against the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium.
Rahane crafted a stylish 67 from 40 balls at the top, while Raghuvanshi added late momentum with a brisk 51 off 28 deliveries. Although Shardul Thakur triggered a brief collapse with figures of 3/39, KKR regained control in the closing overs.
After a watchful beginning, Rahane and Finn Allen shifted gears rapidly, collecting 54 runs in just 18 deliveries. The pair brought up the team’s fifty inside four overs, placing MI under immediate pressure.
Hardik Pandya turned to AM Ghazanfar, but the move proved expensive as the bowler conceded heavily. The batters continued their onslaught, extracting 26 runs from a single over to accelerate the scoring rate.
Thakur eventually provided the breakthrough, removing Allen for 37. By the end of the Power Play, KKR had raced to 78/1, with the opening duo contributing a 69-run stand.
Middle Phase Brings a Shift
Cameron Green made a quick 18 but failed to convert his start, falling to Thakur. Despite wickets falling, Rahane maintained composure and reached his half-century in 27 balls with controlled stroke play.
Thakur struck again to dismiss Rahane, briefly halting KKR’s momentum as MI attempted to regain control.
Raghuvanshi combined effectively with Rinku Singh to rebuild the innings. The pair stitched together a valuable partnership, steadily lifting the scoring rate.
Raghuvanshi capitalised on a reprieve when Rohit Sharma dropped him near the boundary, and he responded with confident stroke play. He soon reached his fifty before being dismissed, while Rinku remained unbeaten on 33 to guide the side past the 200-run mark.
Brief Scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 220/4 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 67, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 51, Finn Allen 37, Rinku Singh 33*; Shardul Thakur 3-39) vs Mumbai Indians.
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