Match 56 of the 2022 IPL between the two teams at the bottom half of the table was highlighted by brilliant pace bowling from both teams. At the same time, both teams displayed poor batting in the latter half of their innings. We look at some of the key moments from MI vs KKR.
Venkatesh Iyer’s Powerplay urgency
Venkatesh Iyer, who was dropped from the side after a string of poor performances, was recalled in the KKR XI and was by far the best batter in the match. One of the biggest differences between his failures and his inning against MI was his batting in the Powerplay.
Before getting dropped, Iyer’s strike rate of 97.8 was the second-worst in this year’s IPL, only better than Kane Williamson. His Powerplay strike rate was worse, striking at just 88.5, with eight fours and a couple of sixes. Against MI, he completely changed his approach, striking at 179.2 for his 24-ball 43, including four sixes. Being more positive and taking more risks certainly brought more rewards for the southpaw.
Jasprit Bumrah – The enforcer
Before the match against KKR, Jasprit Bumrah had picked up just five wickets, but he was still very economical, going at 7.93 runs per over. However, his economic spells barely had any positive impact on the fortunes of his team. Bumrah wasn’t bowling as an enforcer, and that allowed teams to play him out smartly.
It was a different Bumrah against KKR, as he was fierce and aggressive with his bowling tactics. Rather than trying to be economical and rely on bowling more slower balls, Bumrah attacked the batter’s body by digging the ball short, aiming the ball towards the batter.
50% of his balls were pitched on the short length, which is more than eight metres away from the stumps. Four of his five wickets came through the balls pitched on this length. He even bowled 17% of his balls on the yorker length – another example of him being more aggressive and attacking.
Sunil Narine – The miser
In 12 innings so far, Sunil Narine has conceded runs at an economy rate of 5.23. Even against MI, he was at his usual best, conceding just 21 runs off his four overs at 5.25 RPO. What has been amazing from Narine is that he has gone under 6 RPO in 10 of his 12 innings in this IPL.
Narine might have just eight wickets so far to show for his outstanding bowling, but he has been one of the best performing players for KKR. For KKR to finish strongly, they would hope their main bowler to continue his form.