Speculation over Rohit Sharma’s future at Mumbai Indians held sway at Eden Gardens even as the Kolkata Knight Riders confirmed their playoffs berth on Saturday.

Rohit's chitchat with the home team players during the rain break only added further fuel to the guessing game. Coming in as an Impact player, he struggled for 24 balls, especially against Varun Chakravarthy, crawling to 19, before top-edging a sweep.

Since his century against CSK at the Wankhede, it has been an uphill task for the Team India captain in the next seven games. Yet, chants of “Rohit, Rohit” filled the air much to the consternation of the visiting players.

The 158-run chase wasn't going to be easy on this two-paced wicket but Mumbai Indians began on a promising note as Ishan Kishan raced to 40 off 22. It helped them reach 59/0 in the Powerplay in contrast to KKR's 45/3.

Still, they remained in the contest before Suryakumar Yadav's dismissal in the 11th over hurt them. Neither Hardik Pandya nor Tilak Varma showed the courage to stop KKR's supremacy.

If Varun's 2/17 in four overs set the ball rolling, Sunil Narine once again rose to the occasion with 1/21. Naman Dhir did raise hopes for the visitors with 17 off 6 but Harshit Rana pulled off the 18-run win with two wickets in the final over.

Mumbai Indians though had it in their control after the rain delay in the 16-over contest. KKR struggled in conditions which weren’t alien to them.

Venkatesh Iyer’s 42 off 21 balls, however, provided them with some breathing space. Nitish Rana and Andre Russell then tried to make amends with a 39-run stand off 23 balls. The bowlers then provided the finishing touch.