Rollicking Rohit sinks Knight Riders
Rohit Sharma struck a remarkable century to set up a comfortable 27-run win for the Mumbai Indians over the Kolkata Knight Riders in Saturday's Indian Premier League clash at Eden Gardens.
Rohit Sharma struck a remarkable century to set up a comfortable 27-run win for the Mumbai Indians over the Kolkata Knight Riders in Saturday's Indian Premier League clash at Eden Gardens.
Sharma's unbeaten 109 from just 60 balls weighed in as the 22nd ton in the history of the tournament and was orchestrated during a record alliance alongside Herschelle Gibbs, who reached an unbeaten 66 from 58.
Gibbs, playing in his first match of the 2012 edition of the lucrative Twenty20 contest, and Rohit, eager to set himself apart from the nation's host of burgeoning talent, were unperturbed by the early departure of Sachin Tendulkar
The duo combined for a hefty 167-run unbroken stand – the third highest for any wicket in IPL cricket. Clubbing 19 boundaries and seven sixes between them, there was no end to the right-handers' dominance. Brett Lee faced the most expense, with the Australian fast bowler traveling for all of 44 runs from his four overs.
The prolific stand pushed Mumbai to an impressive total of 182 for one and, after the loss of both openers in the first eight balls of their pursuit, Kolkata were all but out of the contest entirely.
Jacques Kallis and Yusuf Pathan, for their 79 and 40 not out respectively, managed to keep the Knight Riders in the hunt until the 18th over, when Lasith Malinga effectively sealed the deal.
With 44 runs required from 12 balls, Kolkata sported an outside chance of victory. The Sri Lankan pace ace, though, soon rendered the equation impossible by firing in a string of yorkers to concede a mere six runs from the penultimate over of the clash.
Dwayne Smith then went through the motions of the final throes, snaring the prized scalp of Proteas veteran Kallis in the process.
Saturday's result saw Mumbai climb to third spot in the nine-team standings, while the Knight Riders franchise remained second.
Rohit, the eighth Indian to score an IPL century, was named Man of the Match.
Latest
-
NewsDanni Wyatt stars on 150th T20I appearance as England begin India tour with win
Sophie Ecclestone returned figures of three for 15 on her comeback appearance after four months out with a shoulder injury.
-
EnglandHarry Brook blocks himself from ‘negativity’ by withdrawing from social media
Brook has left the running of his X and Instagram accounts to someone else.
-
Women's CricketSophie Ecclestone set for England return in T20 opener in India – Heather Knight
The world’s top-ranked limited-overs bowler underwent surgery after dislocating her shoulder in August.
-
EnglandRehan Ahmed rejects Sir Alastair Cook’s criticism of Jos Buttler’s captaincy
Several of Buttler’s decisions were scrutinised during a calamitous World Cup defence.
-
Women's CricketMaia Bouchier and Danielle Gibson handed their first central contracts by ECB
England Women have once again issued 18 full-time deals.
-
EnglandOn this day in 2019: Bob Willis dies at age of 70
The former pace bowler was one of England’s greatest players and a very popular broadcaster.
-
EnglandJos Buttler admits concerns over poor run of form after West Indies beat England
Buttler was out for three off 13 balls against the West Indies in Antigua.
-
West IndiesEngland suffer four-wicket defeat to West Indies in opening ODI in Antigua
Jos Buttler made his fifth single-figure score in eight ODIs, dismissed for three off 13 balls.
-
EnglandHarry Brook helps England set West Indies 326 as Jos Buttler struggles continue
Brook top-scored with 71 while captain Buttler fell for three in the opening ODI in in Antigua.
.
-
AustraliaMitchell Johnson: Does David Warner deserve to sign off from Tests on own terms?
Warner expressed his wish to retire from Tests at the end of their series against Pakistan in Sydney next month.