IPL MI vs KKR: Mumbai Indians win as Pollard blitz sinks KKR

A 17-ball blitz by West Indian Kieron Pollard propelled Mumbai Indians to a commanding six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 24 of IPL at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

Chasing a target of 175, Mumbai coasted home with two overs to spare as they made 178 for four thanks to a blistering unbeaten 51 from Pollard who smashed six sixes and two boundaries in his blistering knock.

Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma anchored the run-chase associating in a breezy 59-run stand for the second wicket with Ambati Rayudu (32) and an unbroken 72-run partnership with Pollard.

Sharma remained unbeaten on 68 stroking six boundaries and two sixes.

Narine returned excellent figures of 4-0-22-2 amid the carnage as Pollard reached his half century and sealed victory for Mumbai with a six.

Kolkata innings

KKR spurred by a solid half century from skipper Gautam Gambhir (59) made a challenging total of 174-5 after being put into bat.

Pathan cracks a couple of boundaries off McClenaghan. KKR 166-5, 19 overs.

Southee strikes with a yorker uprotting Russell's leg stump. KKR 145-5, 17.2 overs.

Andre Russell b Southee 22 (16b 3x4)

Russell is turning it on slamming three boundaries off Bumrah. KKR 143-4, 17 overs.

Southee strikes as Yadav chips a return catch. KKR 130-4, 15.5 overs.

Suryakumar Yadav c & b Southee 21 (17b 2x4)

McClenaghan finally gets his man as Gambhir slices it to midoff after having smashed him for a boundary. KKR 121-3, 13.5 overs.

Gautam Gambhir c Pollard b McClenaghan 59 (45b 6x4 1x6)

Gambhir completes his half century in style swinging Krunal Pandya for a six over long on followed by a boundary. KKR 116-2, 13 overs.

Shakib perishes slashing wildly at a rising delivery from Hardik Pandya. KR 77-2, 8.5 overs.

Shakib Al Hasan c Patel b Hardik Pandya 6 (4b 1x4)

Mumbai finally break the partnership as Uthappa attempting another big hit holes out to Pollard. KKR 69-1, 7.4 overs.

Robin Uthappa c Pollard b Harbhajan Singh 36 (20b 1x4 2x6)

Uthappa is turning it on hammering sixes off Bumrah and Harbhajan. KKR 59-0, 6 overs.

Southee goes for 17 with Gambhir riding his luck to crack a couple of boundaries. KKR 32-0, 3 overs.

McClenaghan drops a skier from Gambhir off his own bowling. KKR 15-0, 2 overs.

Gambhir hits the frist boundary of the match with a sweetly timed cover drive off McClenaghan.

Mumbai have won the toss and put Kolkata in to bat in Match 24 of IPL on Thursday.

Playing XI

MI: Rohit Sharma, Parthiv Patel, Rayudu, Buttler, Hardik Pandya, Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Harbhajan Singh, Bumrah, Southee, McClenaghan

KKR: Uthappa, Gambhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Chris Lynn, Shakib Al Hasan, Yusuf Pathan, Russell, Sathish, Umesh Yadav, Sunil Narine, Jaydev Unadkat

Mumbai Indians will play host to the Kolkata Knight Riders in the first return clash of IPL9 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday.

Defending champions Mumbai have had mixed fortunes having beaten KKR and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Mumbai Indians beat Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens by six wickets.

KKR bounced back after their solitary loss winning three matches on the trot.

Mumbai hold the edge against Kolkata with a 12-7 head-to-head record.

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