Tiwary, Rayudu post fifties to set up victory as Lynn cameo not enough for finals-bound KKR
Match Report:
ScorecardMumbai take top spot over Kolkata
The result: Mumbai Indians 5-173 (Rayudu 63, Boult 2-30) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 8-164 (Pandey 33, H Pandya 2-22) by nine runs
The match in a tweet: Mumbai claim top spot! Indians surge off the back of Rayudu, Tiwary fifties as Lynnsanity cameo falls short for Kolkata
The Indians' Indians: Playing his first match of IPL10, Saurabh Tiwary was outstanding from the top of the order for Mumbai, even as the visitors lost an early wicket. Rohit Sharma chipped in with 27 but it was the contributions from Tiwary (52) and Ambati Rayudu (63) that set up the victory for the high-flying Indians. Rayudu has only played twice this IPL season but his whirlwind 37-ball effort could give Mumbai a pleasant selection headache ahead of the finals.
The run-out: Rayudu wanted the single. Tiwary clearly didn't. In the end, Tiwary had to go, but he was too late – and too slow – for Umesh Yadav, who ran to the stumps and complete the run-out. See the highlights video above, but Rayudu's blunt sentiment post-match is perhaps the best explanation: "He definitely needs to improve his running. With four overs to go, that's not the way." OK then…
The Lynnsanity cameo: Chris Lynn has had a productive – if interrupted – IPL season and his 26 from 14 balls in Kolkata's chase was another example of his electrifying batting. He plundered 24 runs in boundaries courtesy of three fours and two sixes but in truth his contribution was symptomatic of the overall KKR effort; promising without being quite enough to get it done, with six batsmen passing 20 but none going beyond 33.
The Aussie pack: Lynn blasted two of his fours from Mitchell Johnson, who finished with 1-30 from four overs, claiming the crucial wicket of KKR captain Gautam Gambhir. Johnson has only played three matches this IPL season but could yet feature in the finals, with England's Chris Woakes having headed home to prepare for the Champions Trophy.
The stat: Prior to this defeat, Kolkata had won 12 straight matches when batting second at their home venue of Eden Gardens.
The wash-up: Mumbai now rest until their qualifying final on Tuesday, where they'll face either Sunrisers Hyderabad or Rising Pune Supergiant. Kolkata must also wait until Pune meet Kings XI Punjab tonight to know who they'll face in the finals, though they can't finish higher than third spot.