IPL-8: Holders KKR off to flying start
9 April 2015 1:21 AM GMT
Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders scripted a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in the opening match of IPL-8 at a packed Eden Gardens on Wednesday. Set to chase 168, KKR romped home in 48.3 overs with Suryakumar Yadav (46*) and Yusuf Pathan (14*) at the crease.
Earlier, put into bat, the visitors lost two wickets in three balls and looked shaky 37/3 after a fiery spell from Morne Morkel (2/18) but Sharma, who had struck an ODI world record 264 here in November last year, was again in his element. Sharma dissected the field with elegance and picked Indian speedster Umesh Yadav as his bunny en route to his 22nd IPL half-century. Sharma’s 98 not out came from 65 balls studded with 12 boundaries and four sixes and was ably supported by New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson, who remained unbeaten on 55 from 41 balls (4x4, 3x6) in a 131-run undefeated partnership.
After all the hoopla surrounding his action, Knight Riders trump card spinner Sunil Narine did not look in his usual self and returned wicketless with 28 runs from his four overs.
BRIEFSCORES: MI 168/3 (Rohit Sharma 98*, Corey Anderson 54*, M Morkel 2/18) lost to KKR 170/3 (G Gambhir 57, M Pandey 47, Surya Kumar Yadav 46*) by seven wickets.
Earlier, put into bat, the visitors lost two wickets in three balls and looked shaky 37/3 after a fiery spell from Morne Morkel (2/18) but Sharma, who had struck an ODI world record 264 here in November last year, was again in his element. Sharma dissected the field with elegance and picked Indian speedster Umesh Yadav as his bunny en route to his 22nd IPL half-century. Sharma’s 98 not out came from 65 balls studded with 12 boundaries and four sixes and was ably supported by New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson, who remained unbeaten on 55 from 41 balls (4x4, 3x6) in a 131-run undefeated partnership.
After all the hoopla surrounding his action, Knight Riders trump card spinner Sunil Narine did not look in his usual self and returned wicketless with 28 runs from his four overs.
BRIEFSCORES: MI 168/3 (Rohit Sharma 98*, Corey Anderson 54*, M Morkel 2/18) lost to KKR 170/3 (G Gambhir 57, M Pandey 47, Surya Kumar Yadav 46*) by seven wickets.
Next Story
