Match 5 of the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) saw defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) beating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 10 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on 13 April.
The Kolkata bowlers showed plenty of character against the mighty Mumbai batters and bowled them out for 152. But the Mumbai bowlers did what they do so often, working as a team to choke the Kolkata batting line-up, taking the game away from nowhere.
Here is what they said on social media.
Mumbai are often being called the strongest franchise ever take the field. Ever wondered why? Here is what Aakash Chopra, Irfan Pathan and Harsha Bhogle have to say.
This is why #MI are five-time champions. Know how to snatch victories from the jaws of defeat. Right. Point taken.
But this loss tells us more why #KKRHaiTaiyaar has such poor record vs #MI. They’re such a skilful side….but somehow find ways to lose against them. #IPL2021
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 13, 2021
What champion sides are made of showed by @mipaltan again.brilliant come back in the game. Top win
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 13, 2021
There is a reason @mipaltan is a champion team. To hold their nerve in a finish like that is special. I thought we saw the best of two fantastic captains today.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 13, 2021
KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan was devastated after the match. He even apologised to the fans after his team failed to score 31 runs in the last five overs.
Disappointing performance. to say the least @KKRiders apologies to all the fans!
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) April 13, 2021
Mumbai bowlers were great in the death overs. But then, this was not the first time they did this. In fact, that has been one of the keys to their success in the tournament.
How do you defend 31 runs in last 5 overs with opposition 122/4:
16th: 1 run- 1 wkt (Krunal)
17th: 8 run- 0 wkt (Bumrah)
18th: 3 run- 0 wkt (Krunal)
19th: 4 run- 0 wkt (Bumrah)
20th: 4 run- 2 wkts (Boult)Simple!
(Only one 4 hit in last 5 ov -that too of a free-hit)#KKRvMI— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) April 13, 2021