Fifty six runs off 15 deliveries. Yes, you read it right. Pat Cummins wielded the bat like a sledgehammer to mercilessly slaughter Mumbai Indians’ bowling in Pune on Wednesday.
Cummins’ stupendous innings handed Kolkata Knight Riders their third win from four matches while Mumbai Indians have now lost all of their three encounters.
The Knights have all along relied on Andre Russell to provide the fireworks. But Cummins showed that he could be equally adept at performing the role to perfection. Not without reason, Russell performed an impromptu jig in the end to make the occasion more special.
Going into the 16th over, KKR needed 35 off 30. Russell had just been dismissed by a Tymal Mills short delivery for 11. Jasprit Bumrah had still two overs left and Mumbai were smelling victory. But Cummins blew away such aspirations and got the required runs off just six, which included a no-ball.
Daniel Sams was the unlucky bowler.
Whatever Cummins touched turned into gold. On a wicket where the rest struggled to get their timing right, Cummins hit four fours and six sixes to settle the issue for KKR. He rounded it off in style with a slog over the sight screen.
Cummins joined KL Rahul in equalling the fastest fifty in IPL — off 14 balls. The Australian Test captain in his first match this season went for 49 runs in his four overs. But he made it up with an innings that will rank among the best in this format.
Venkatesh Iyer remained unbeaten on a scratchy 50 but that hardly mattered. Cummins joined Venkatesh Iyer in the 14th over with KKR needing 61 off 41 balls. Cummins immediately took up the cudgels to seize the momentum. KKR had thus far been wobbling in their pursuit of 162-run target.
Surya’s effort
An individual’s absence can often make a huge difference in T20 cricket. Suryakumar Yadav showed why he is regarded so highly in this format and why Mumbai Indians decided to retain him ahead of more established cricketers such as Hardik Pandya, Quinton de Kock and Trent Boult.
In his first match this season, SKY was at his lethal best earlier on Wednesday. In the company of Tilak Varma, Surya stitched together an 83-run partnership after they were reduced to 58 for three in 12 overs. Kieron Pollard faced only five balls but ended on 22 not out.
But the bulk of the credit should go to SKY. Often referred to as a 360-degree player, Surya rescued Mumbai Indians with 52 off 36 balls after being sidelined with injury for their first two matches. There were the wristy strikes behind square and the paddle sweep to nullify the challenge posed by the spinners.
Surya took 18 deliveries to hit his first boundary and off the next 17, he struck four fours and two sixes. It was mainly because of his brilliance that Mumbai Indians put on 76 off the last five overs.
