MI vs KKR | Player Ratings - Rohit Sharma, Lasith Malinga heroics eliminate KKR from 2019 IPL
Rohit Sharma played a match-winning knock after Lasith Malinga picked crucial wickets to end Kolkata Knight Riders’ hopes of making it to the playoffs. With this win, Mumbai Indians finished at the top of the points table and will now cross swords with Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1.
Rohit Sharma (8/10): The MI skipper led his side from the front. His captaincy was outstanding and maneuvered his bowlers with perfection along with some astute field placements, no doubt why he is one of the most successful captains in the tournament. With the bat, Rohit has found his zone and zen and will pose a threat of different kind in the playoffs for sure. Though not an explosive innings, the shots were coming off cleanly off Rohit’s willow, a sign which opposition should be wary of.
Quinton de Kock (6/10): The South African southpaw provided a perfect start to gun down a modest target of 134. His form will be very crucial for Mumbai Indians in the playoffs as there are no half measures when de Kock is batting. On a tricky surface, de kock broke the shackles with some big hits and helped his side gain some much-needed momentum before he fell prey to an incredible catch by Dinesh Karthik.
Suryakumar Yadav (7/10): It gives so much pleasure to watch Suryakumar’s elegant wrist work to garner effortless boundaries. The situation didn’t demand any kind of explosive work and the Mumbai lad did exactly that - scored runs by playing some risk free cricket. He finished off the game with his trademark stroke and has managed to convert his emphatic start into a substantial score.
Ishan Kishan (6/10): The southpaw must have been curious to go out there and garner some crucial runs on his comeback, but the powerful top-order got the job done, which denied Kishan a chance to bat. Will MI continue with their winning combination in the playoffs or not, is an open debate, but a player of his calibre cannot be warming the bench for long.
Hardik Pandya (7.5/10): There is hardly anything more valuable than Hardik Pandya at the moment. Not only with the bat, Pandya has also managed to inflict massive damage with the ball as well. Some canny change in pace was the way to go for Hardik when KKR batsmen were trying to go hard. Hardik pulled things back for MI by getting rid of KKR openers and his teammates ensured the momentum didn’t drift away after that.
Krunal Pandya (7/10): In a high-voltage game, it was pivotal for Mumbai Indians to dry up the runs with the new ball and Krunal ensured that he did exactly that in the second over of the game. Throughout his spell, Krunal kept things tight at his en, which compelled batsmen to take risks against the others and eventually perish. He continues to live up to expectations and has been a utility cricketer for the MI side.
Kieron Pollard (6/10): MI have persisted with the Caribbean all-rounder and it will be interesting to see if it pays off in the playoffs. As far as this game is considered, Pollard could only contribute on the field. He has shown threatening signs this season and player with his experience and muscle-power cannot be written off.
Mitchell McClenaghan (6.5/10): What a comeback it was from Mitchell McClenaghan, who delivered a gem of a spell under the pump. His first over was brimming with sheer pace and immaculate length and continued to do so in the entire game. How many bowlers can produce a maiden in the 11th over of a T20 game? Well, not many but McClenaghan exploited Uthappa’s struggle to make things worse for KKR.
Rahul Chahar (3/10): One of the young sensations this season, Rahul Chahar didn’t get more than an over on a surface where seamers were wreaking havoc. Lynn milked two sixes of Chahar’s solitary over only to be removed from the attack after which, his teammates got the job done. Nevertheless, he can be a massive threat and has reasonably well to make a name for himself this season.
Jasprit Bumrah (4.5/10): The best white ball bowler didn’t have a great day with the ball and still ended up conceding only 31 runs for two wickets in his quota of four overs. He was brilliant at times but was taken for cleaners too; Bumrah did well to finish off the innings with two back-to-back wickets.
Lasith Malinga (7/10): A lion may get old, but never forgets to hunt and the Sri Lankan legend just testified the saying with sheer brilliance. With intent to chip an early wicket, MI brought their most experienced campaigner Malinga into the attack, but he didn’t have a great start after conceding 13 runs in his first. The quality to bounce back from the ashes is what separates legends from players and Malinga broke KKR’s spine by bagging three wickets in his next three overs. The ploy of bowling short deliveries was executed very well by Malinga to give hand Russell a rare golden duck.
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