Mumbai Indians rode on a last-over blitzkrieg by Ambati Rayudu and James Franklin to script a thrilling five-wicket win over home favourites Kolkata Knight Riders in the last league match of the IPL-IV at the jam-packed Eden Gardens here on Sunday.
With Mumbai Indians needing 21 runs for victory in the last over, it seemed the home team would seal the match in their favour and finish second the league table. But in a stunning reversal of fortune, the Mumbai side clinched the win in style with Franklin hitting Lakshmipathy Balaji for four boundaries and Rayudu doing a Javed Miandad by smashing the hapless bowlers last ball, a full toss, over the square-leg for a huge six.
The amazing win enabled Mumbai Indians finish third in the table with 18 points.
Frankling, who replaced Andrew Symonds, deservedly won the man of the match award, scalping two wickets for 30 runs and hitting a 22-ball unbeaten 45.
Chasing a stiff target of 176, Mumbai Indians were well-placed at the end of eighth over, making seventy for one. After losing Tirumalasetti Suman early, Mumbai Indians rode on a 57-run second-wicket stand between skipper Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh to raise hopes of a comfortable win.
But after the dismissal of Harbhajan Singh, who played a cameo knock of 30 after being promoted to No 3 position in the batting order, Mumbai Indians lost the momentum.
Earlier put into bat, Kolkata Knight Riders suffered two early setbacks with Shreevats Goswami getting run out for one and skipper Gautam Gambhir falling to Abu Nechim Ahmed for eight.
But dependable Jacques Kallis played a responsible knock of 59 to help the home team overcome the early damage. Displaying ideal temperament and impeccable technique, the South African all-rounder mixed caution with aggression to notch up his fourth half-century in the ongoing tournament.
With Mumbai Indians needing 21 runs for victory in the last over, it seemed the home team would seal the match in their favour and finish second the league table. But in a stunning reversal of fortune, the Mumbai side clinched the win in style with Franklin hitting Lakshmipathy Balaji for four boundaries and Rayudu doing a Javed Miandad by smashing the hapless bowlers last ball, a full toss, over the square-leg for a huge six.
The amazing win enabled Mumbai Indians finish third in the table with 18 points.
Frankling, who replaced Andrew Symonds, deservedly won the man of the match award, scalping two wickets for 30 runs and hitting a 22-ball unbeaten 45.
Chasing a stiff target of 176, Mumbai Indians were well-placed at the end of eighth over, making seventy for one. After losing Tirumalasetti Suman early, Mumbai Indians rode on a 57-run second-wicket stand between skipper Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh to raise hopes of a comfortable win.
But after the dismissal of Harbhajan Singh, who played a cameo knock of 30 after being promoted to No 3 position in the batting order, Mumbai Indians lost the momentum.
Earlier put into bat, Kolkata Knight Riders suffered two early setbacks with Shreevats Goswami getting run out for one and skipper Gautam Gambhir falling to Abu Nechim Ahmed for eight.
But dependable Jacques Kallis played a responsible knock of 59 to help the home team overcome the early damage. Displaying ideal temperament and impeccable technique, the South African all-rounder mixed caution with aggression to notch up his fourth half-century in the ongoing tournament.
