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IPL 5 - Kolkata victory over Team Mumbai
MUMBAI - Team Kolkata inflicted a 32-run defeat on Mumbai and virtually booked their place in the IPL 5 playoffs at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.
Kolkata Knight Riders took a huge step towards confirming a play-off berth in IPL-V, defending 140 in style against a trigger-happy Mumbai Indians and winning by 32 runs with five balls to spare. Sunil Narine reaped a rich haul of four for 15, backed by medium-pacers L. Balaji (two for 11) and Jacques Kallis (two for 32).
KKR climbed to the second spot with 19 points with this victory, ahead of Mumbai Indians (18). Delhi Daredevils remained on top with 20.
Wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum pulled his weight with two catches and a stumping. The host handed the match to KKR on a platter with reckless batting, and was bowled out for 108 in 19.1 overs on a bowler-friendly Wankhede wicket.
Sachin Tendulkar top scored (27 off 24 balls) in what was an embarrassing procession to the dressing room by the home team. KKR's tactic of enticing Mumbai Indians' assembly of strokeplayers with spin worked beyond its wildest expectations.
Kolkata's big-hitter Yusuf Pathan, however, continued to be strangled by his poor form, managing just 21 from the same number of deliveries.
It was mainly due to Tiwary's effort that Kolkata managed to better their worst total of 131 this season batting first
That a few boundaries came from edges didn't matter as Tiwary did his best to prop the total. His two sixes were, in fact, the best-hit shots.
He first deposited Harbhajan Singh cleanly over deep mid-wicket and later got under a length ball from Malinga to cart it high and straight near the sight screen.
Gambhir, who began with a superbly-timed straight boundary off the very second ball of the innings from Munaf Patel, steadied the ship with Tiwary (adding 45 runs in 29 balls) after his side had suffered twin blows off successive balls in the second over, losing opener Brendon McCullum and Kallis.
Wed 16 May, 2012,10:49:35 PM
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