Mumbai: The Mumbai Indians came close to their second successful title showdown when they eliminated the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from the Indian Premier League (IPL), handing them a four-wicket loss in a thrilling knockout match here on Wednesday.
Mumbai will now take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Friday in Qualifying-II, the winner of which will take on the defending champions Chennai Super Kings in a top-level clash on Saturday.
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Munaf Patel (3/27) was the most successful bowler, while Lasit Malinga was, as usual, the most economical, conceding just 19 runs, not counting one wicket.
The hosts then overcame several hitches and reached the goal with four spares as they lost several quick wickets after Sachin Tendulkar (36) and Aiden Blizzard (51) quickly racked up 81 runs.
With this win, Mumbai also qualified for the next Champions League.
Rohit Sharma (0), Ambati Rayudu (12) and Kieron Pollard (3) lost early, but James Franklin, who had scheduled Mumbai’s victory in the last match against the same opponent, again played wisely lest KKR upset them.
Lefty Franklin scored 29 unbeaten points out of 25.
Had it not been for the heroism of Dutch batsman Ryan ten Doschate, who went under pressure to score 70 unbeaten runs, Calcutta would not have been able to get close to the 150 runs mark.
Kolkata were up 20 out of four after six overs, but a hard-fought Dochate resurrected their chances with a battle shot that came off 49 balls and had nine boundaries, including three sixes.
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