Mumbai Indians succumbed to yet another defeat, this time at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders. IPL 2024’s highest buy – Mitchell Starc – finally proved he was worth the money with a four-wicket haul that reminded everyone of how deadly the Aussie can be. KKR wrapped up the game in clinical fashion with all their bowlers delivering what was needed to strangle MI’s batting order.
As for MI, there was just one positive in the game and that was Suryakumar Yadav. The middle-order batter broke free from the shackles of poor form to play a valiant knock, albeit in losing cause. While the rest of the batters walked in and out of the field, it was SKY who held ground, making it look at one point like as though MI could win the match. However, the KKR bowlers proved to be too good for Hardik Pandya and co. On that note, let’s take a look at some of the eyeball grabbing headlines from Friday.
Starc finally proves his worth
It took Mitchell Starc ten games in IPL 2024 to justify his price tag and it might have come in the right time for KKR, if not too late. The Aussie pacer grabbed a four-wicket haul to decimate MI’s batting order. Prior to this game, Starc was at the receiving end of flak for not being able to prove his worth of being the highest paid IPL player in history. However, it looks like Starc has had enough and is ready to turn around things – which is a good news for both KKR and Australia.
SKY – MI’s lone warrior
Suryakumar Yadav was Mumbai Indians’ only ray of hope amid their batting order collapsing like a pack of cards. The middle-order batter played a valiant 56-run knock as he single-handedly attempted to get his team across the line. Like Starc, SKY’s coming back to form means much more for India than for MI, considering all the focus will soon shift to the all important T20 World Cup 2024.
The Venkatesh Iyer-Manish Pandey cameo
Venkatesh Iyer and Manish Pandey had the perfect outing that they could have asked for at Wankhede. The duo put up a stellar partnership that helped KKR clinch their first win against Mumbai at the iconic stadium in 12 years. The duo added 83 runs on the board, rescuing KKR from a precarious position and guiding them to a face-saving total which their bowlers successfully defended.
Why Bumrah is the G.O.A.T?
Time and again, Jasprit Bumrah has proved why he is the best in the business, especially in the shortest format of the game. The MI pacer’s stellar record in IPL 2024 is second to none when compared to top bowlers in the world or even his own teammates in IPL. With an economy rate of 6.25, the veteran pacer has been outstanding so far in the tournament and is also the leading wicket taker.
Mayank blow for LSG, Chahar setback for CSK
Deepak Chahar and Mayank Yadav may have already played their final match of the IPL 2024 season. The CSK pacer suffered a hamstring injury against the PBKS after bowling just two deliveries and had to leave the field immediately. Mayank’s side strain injury seemed to have resurfaced against the Mumbai Indians on April 30, and according to Cricbuzz, he’s unlikely to be seen again this season.
Evergreen Piyush Chawla
Veteran spinner Piyush Chawla created history by taking the second-most wickets in the history of the Indian Premier League. Chawla claimed his 184th IPL wicket by dismissing Rinku Singh. With this accomplishment, the Mumbai Indians spinner moved up to second place on the all-time list of wicket-takers, surpassing veteran West Indies and Chennai Super Kings pacer Dwayne Bravo.
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