Mumbai trashed Kolkata Knight Riders

We expected a high voltage entertaining thriller from the most high profile teams in Indian Premier League. But we got the most one sided match in the short history of IPL T20 tournament. Mumbai Indians clinically finished complacent Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. Mumbai came into this match with well laid out strategy and players executed them with perfection. We can call it as an annihilation or demolition or decimation. Mumbai Indians are decimating top teams like Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders and are looking as strong contenders to win the inaugural Indian Premier League tournament. Sachin Tendulkar’s poor form is the only worrying point for Mumbai Indians. Sachin looked very uncomfortable in both the matches he played. Similarities with 2003 cricket world cup final:

This match reminded me the 2003 World cup final in South Africa. Indian and Australia reached finals and stage was set for an entertaining cricket. But Australia clinically decimated India in that match. It took me several days to recover from that shock. Today, Kolkata Knight Riders were outsmarted by intelligent captaincy of Sachin Tendulkar, clinical execution of well laid out plans by bowlers coupled with exceptional fielding. I am surprised by seeing the dives by 38-year old veteran cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya. Senior players like Sanath Jayasuriya and Shaun Pollock is helping Sachin both on and off the field.

IPL T20 Match review:

Toss: Sachin won the toss and choose to field first.

IPL T20 Cricket score:

Kolkata Knight Riders: 67 all out in 15.2 overs.
Mumbai Indians: 68/2 in 5.3 overs.

Man of the match: Shaun Pollock. Along with Shane Watson and Irfan Pathan, he is the most valuable player in Indian Premier League. He was simply unplayable today. 4 overs; 12 runs; 3 wickets.

IPL Records and Statistics:

1. Kolkata Knight Riders scored lowest total in IPL- 67 runs. This is the fifth lowest total in the history of T20 Cricket.
2. Sachin Tendulkar took highest catches in a single IPL match – 4 catches.
3. It is the highest margin of victory in terms of balls remained. Mumbai now leads the net run rate chart in the IPL table.
4. Sanath Jayasuriya scored 48 runs in 17 balls with seven fours and three sixers. He simply murdered the bowling attack led by Ishant Sharma and Shoaib Akhtar. He is now leading the sixers chart with 17 sixers.
5. Spinner Rajesh Powar made IPL debut for Mumbai. He replaced Dhawal Kulkarni. But he didn’t bowl in the match.
6. Mumbai Indians reached 68 runs target just within 33 balls.
7. Sachin Tendulkar was out for zero and Sanath Jayasuriya escaped duck out as Akash Chopra dropped.
8. Sanath Jayasuriya scored 23 runs in the second over of Shoaib Akhtar. Splendid knock from veteran cricketer. He is enjoying his game and is entertaining us.

Verdict: Unless there will be an unexpected slump in their form, it is almost impossible to beat this Mumbai Indians team. It is the most complete all-round team with so many suitable Twenty20 players and in-form all-rounders. Sanath Jayasuriya reminded me 1996 world cup days with his shots. If Sachin too finds form, IPL 2008 trophy will be lifted by him. Kolkata should quickly recover from this unexpected humiliating loss against the best team in IPL. They need to quickly find good batting lineup. How long will they depend on David Hussey and Sourav Ganguly?