On the 10th of April, 2017, cricket enthusiasts witnessed an enthralling encounter in the Indian Premier League (IPL) between the Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The match, which was the 8th in the tournament, turned out to be a captivating spectacle filled with some exquisite batting and potent bowling displays.
Batting first, the Mumbai Indians posted a competitive total of 180 runs but in their quest for runs, they could only muster 180 runs in 19.5 overs. The innings was highlighted by Manish Pandey’s spectacular performance, who was the standout batsman, scoring 81 runs off 75 balls, including 5 fours and 5 sixes at a striking rate of 172.34. Other contributors included Gautam Gambhir, who scored 19 runs; Chris Lynn with a 32-run contribution; and a quick-fire 17 from Suryakumar Yadav. The Mumbai bowling attack saw Krunal Pandya shine with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for just 24 runs in his 4 overs.
However, the target of 181 runs was levelled with ease by the Kolkata Knight Riders, who chased down the score, finishing at 178 runs in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was led by Nitish Rana, who played a crucial innings of 50 runs off 61 deliveries, while Parthiv Patel supported well with 30 runs. It was Hardik Pandya’s explosive finishing touch with an unbeaten 29 runs off just 23 balls that sealed the victory for Kolkata. The Mumbai Indians bowlers struggled to keep the run rate in check, with Lasith Malinga being the most successful bowler, taking 2 wickets for 36 runs in his 4 overs.
The highlight of the match was Kolkata Knight Riders’ remarkable 8-wicket victory with 33 balls remaining, showcasing not just their batting strength but also their capacity to chase targets efficiently. The emphatic win re-established KKR's strong position in the league, making the match a memorable one for their fans.
This remarkable clash between Mumbai and Kolkata not only added excitement to the IPL season of 2017 but set the tone for competitive cricket in the days to come.