Kolkata, May 20: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured a crucial victory in the 65th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on Wednesday, defeating Mumbai Indians (MI) by four wickets at Eden Gardens Stadium. This win keeps KKR’s playoff aspirations intact.
Batting first after losing the toss, Mumbai managed to score only 147 runs while losing eight wickets. The team struggled early, losing four wickets for just 41 runs. Rain interrupted the match after the eighth over, but no overs were deducted despite the break.
Captain Hardik Pandya attempted to stabilize the innings with a partnership of 43 runs for the fifth wicket alongside Tilak Varma, off 49 balls. Varma scored 20 runs before being dismissed, while Pandya contributed 26 runs to the total.
Corbin Bosch played a vital role, partnering with Deepak Chahar to add 42 runs for the eighth wicket off just 20 balls, helping the team reach a challenging score. Bosch remained unbeaten on 32 runs, hitting two sixes and three fours in his 18-ball innings. For KKR, Saurabh Dubey, Cameron Green, and Kartik Tyagi each took two wickets, while Sunil Narine claimed one.
In response, KKR chased down the target in 18.4 overs, losing Finn Allen (8) in the very first over. Captain Ajinkya Rahane formed a partnership of 38 runs with Manish Pandey off 28 balls before being dismissed for 21 runs, which included four boundaries.
Cameron Green (4) followed soon after, leaving KKR at 54 for three wickets in 7.1 overs. However, Rovman Powell and Manish Pandey steadied the innings with a partnership of 64 runs for the fourth wicket, bringing the team closer to victory. Pandey scored 45 runs off 33 balls, hitting six fours, while Powell contributed 40 runs from 28 balls, including two sixes and four fours, before being caught out in the 16th over.
In the final overs, Rinku Singh (9) and Anukul Roy (4) remained not out, guiding KKR to victory with seven balls to spare. Corbin Bosch was the standout bowler for MI, taking three wickets, while Deepak Chahar, Gajanfar, and Jasprit Bumrah each took one wicket.
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