Dominant KKR sign off on a high note

Sourav, McCullum shine as Kolkata drub Mumbai

Already out of the semifinal reckoning, the hosts put up a splendid all-round show and finished in the sixth position with 14 points behind Delhi Daredevils. Delhi also ended with 14 points but due to their better run-rate (+0.02) they finished one place above Kolkata (-0.34).

Exploiting the slow track, Kolkata restricted Mumbai Indians to 133 for eight and then overhauled the target with 2.3 overs to spare with Brendon McCullum (57 not out) and Sourav Ganguly (42) playing good knocks at top. It is for the first time in their last six clashes that Kolkata have defeated Mumbai Indians.

Saurabh Tiwary’s sensible 37-ball 46 was the cornerstone of Mumbai’s total as they made wholesome changes to their side, fielding five new players. Murali Kartik (2/20) and Shane Bond (2/24) set up the win for Kolkata by their brilliant effort as they restricted Mumbai to their lowest score in this season.

Chasing a modest total, and playing under no pressure, McCullum and skipper Ganguly threw their bat at each and everything and produced the one of the best opening stands for their side in this season. They rattled up 97 in 13.5 overs to lay the foundation for an easy win.

Ganguly’s 36-ball knock had four fours and two sixes and McCullum’s 56 ball innings was studded with eight fours. Ganguly began the scoring by hammering a big six off spinner Ali and McCullum played some really exquisite drives off Ryan McLaren and Dilhara Fernando.

The Sri Lankan paceman was punished by Ganguly too as he was hit for a six and four by the former Indian captain. Dwayne Bravo, who led the side as Sachin Tendulkar opted to rest, produced a chance to break the partnership but McLaren grassed Ganguly’s catch when he was on 22.

At half-way mark, Kolkata were comfortably placed at 72 for no loss but the partnership ended soon with the dismiss

al of Ganguly. The local southpaw miscued one shot off R Satish and the ball landed in the hands of Bravo, who nearly messed it up with McLaren. McCullum and David Hussey (20) then guided the team home comfortably.

Earlier, Mumbai Indians found the going tough after winning the toss as stroke-making was tough on the slow strip and the ball was not coming on to bat. Ambati Rayudu played a good 27-run cameo down the order to take Mumbai Indians to a fighting total.

SCORE BOARD

MUMBAI INDIANS: Aditya Tare c Kartik b Bond 1; Shikhar Dhawan c Saha b Bond 10; Saurabh Tiwary c McCullum b Kartik 46; Jean-Paul Duminy b Unadkat 19; R Sathish c Kartik b Tiwary 11; Dwayne Bravo st Saha b Kartik 5; Ambati Rayudu (run out) 27; Stuart Binny c Ganguly b Dinda 8; Ryan McLaren         (not out) 0; Extras (B-2, LB-2, W-2) 6; Total (For 8 wickets, 20 overs) 133

Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-14, 3-77, 4-77, 5-89, 6-111, 7-126, 8-133.

Bowling: Shane Bond 4-0-24-2, Ashok Dinda 4-0-20-1, Jaidev Uanadkat 4-0-27-1, Sourav Ganguly 1-0-13-0, Murali Kartik 4-0-20-2, David Hussey 2-0-14-0, Manoj Tiwary 1-0-11-1.

KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS: Sourav Ganguly c Bravo b Sathish 42; Brendon McCullum (not out) 57; David Hussey (not out) 20;  Extras (LB-2, W-9, NB-5) 16; Total (1 wicket; 17.3 overs) 135

Fall of wicket: 1-97

Bowling: Ali Murtaza 4-0-27-0, Dilhara Fernando 3-0-31-0, Ryan McLaren 3-0-26-0, Dwayne Bravo 2-0-7-0, Stuart Binny 1-0-9-0, JP Duminy 2.3-0-22-0, Rajagopal Sathish 2-0-11-1