MI vs KKR: Mumbai Indians take on the Kolkata Knight Riders in tonight’s match in IPL 2021. We look back at one of their most memorable matches from the past.
MI have historically had a very significant record against KKR, winning 22 of the 28 games played between the two sides. However, there have been some very close matches played between them in the past.
We look back at one such match today, from the year 2017. This was Match No. 7 of IPL 2017, played at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
KKR off to a shaky start
MI skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to send Kolkata in to bat. KKR did not get off to the best of the starts as they lost captain Gautam Gambhir and then Robin Uthappa, to be reduced to 48-2.
Manish Pandey lights up Wankhede
Chris Lynn soon followed suit after scoring a quickfire 32, as KKR were now down to 67-3. Manish Pandey, at the other end, looked in sublime touch and continued to play his shots.
KKR wickets kept falling from the other side. They first lost Yusuf Pathan cheaply and then Suryakumar Yadav and Chris Woakes followed him.
Also Read:Â MI vs KKR IPL 2021: 5 Stats & Records that can be broken in tonights game
However, Manish Pandey looked like he was batting on a different surface altogether. He scored a brilliant 81 not out off just 47 balls.
KKR finished at 178-7, thinking probably that they were 10-15 runs short on the batting-friendly Wankhede surface.
MI with a solid start
MI openers Parthiv Patel and Jos Buttler gave their team a brilliant start with a 65-run opening partnership. But they both fell in successive overs to leave MI at 71-2.
Rana, Hardik steal the victory
Nitish Rana then came out to bat, but he started losing partners at regular intervals. The score at the end of 17 overs was 130-5, with MI’s most successful finisher Kieron Pollard also back in the pavilion.
With MI still needing 49 runs off 18 balls, it looked like it was a task too heavy for the youngsters Rana and Hardik Pandya.
However, the two showed nerves of steel. Even though Rana was dismissed in the 19th over and MI still needed 11 off the final over, Hardik was able to finish the job.
Only 4 years later, Nitish Rana and Hardik Pandya are now opponents instead of teammates. How quickly times change! But that night, they pulled off a miracle together and announced their talents to the world!
Tune in tonight to see who announces themselves on the big stage!
