Mumbai Indians (MI) batter Ishan Kishan carved out an explosive knock to register his first fifty of the IPL 2023 season during the chase against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Notably, Mumbai and Kolkata have locked horns in match 22 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, April 16.
KKR posted a competitive first innings total of 185 runs courtesy of a majestic ton by Venkatesh Iyer (104 runs). In reply, the home side required a solid start to stay well on course in the contest. Mumbai’s opening duo of Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma got off to a brisk start as both batters swiftly hit the ground running.
Ishan unleashed carnage as he hammered one of KKR’s best bowlers, Sunil Narine, in the fourth over. The southpaw hit two maximums and a boundary as Narine concluded the over by leaking 22 runs. Furthermore, five boundaries and as many maximums were clobbered in the first four overs of the powerplay and most of them by the southpaw in his sensational innings.
Ishan and Rohit stitched a 65-run partnership before Rohit was dismissed for 20 off 13 balls. However, this did not stop Ishan from slowing down, as the batter stamped his authority on the rival bowling unit and took them to the cleaners with his explosive batting prowess.
Ishan registered his half-century off mere 21 balls and kept Mumbai steady in the chase to earn a potential win. Despite getting to his element, the batter was sent packing by spinner Varun Chakravarthy after attempting to slog sweep, however, was bowled in the process and headed back for 58 off 25 balls.
With Ishan and Rohit dismissed, the onus is on the rest of the batting unit to see them through to the finish line. It remains to be seen if Mumbai will clinch the two points or will KKR bounce back and snatch the game from the home team.
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