Mumbai Indians openers Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock during their opening partnership of 94 runs against KKR. Image Source: BCCI/IPL

Xtra Time Web Desk: Even a change in captaincy did not bring the desired result for the Kolkata Knight Riders as they were comprehensively beaten by 8 wickets by Mumbai Indians in Match 32 of IPL 2020 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Friday. It was an absolutely clinical performance from the four time champions as they went on top of points table with 12 points from 8 games. Delhi Capitals too are on 12 points from the same number of matches but MI have a better run rate after Friday nights game.

Knight Riders captain Eoin Morgan chose to bat first winning the toss. They soon found themselves reduced to 42/4 in inside the first 8 overs. When Jasprit Bumrah sent back danger man Andre Russell with a well directed bouncer, KKR was almost down and out with the scoreboard showing 61/5. An unbeaten 87 runs partnership for the sixth wicket between Morgan (39 from 29) and Pat Cummins (53 off 36) saw KKR post 148/5. Rahul Chahar was the pick of the MI bowlers with 4-12-2 including two wickets in an over. Chasing 149 runs to win Mumbai Indians opener Rohit Sharma (35 off 36) and Quinton de Kock (78 off 34) made a mockery of the target, putting 94 runs for the first wicket in just 10.3 overs. The Proteas batsman made up more than his missed catch off Cummins as he played a scintillating knock which included 9 fours and 3 sixes. In the end MI won the match by 8 wickets 19 balls to spare.

Talking about the win, Mumbai Indians Captain Rohit Sharma said, “It's special to chase and win, gives us plenty of confidence. We didn't chase a lot in the first half (of the tournament), think we were clinical with both bat and ball, the expected performance was there. I thought we turned up very well, right from the start. I believe a lot in match-ups, we have got success as a team (doing it) - understanding the match-ups is important but we need to be instinctive at times. The guys are very hungry, they haven't played a lot over the last six months - be it Ishan or Hardik, they want to play and they want to win.”

According to losing captain Eoin Morgan, “We weren’t in the race at all really, being four or five down. Managed to get a score on the board but when Mumbai play like that, they are hard to stop. Guys fought hard but just not enough runs on the board. No.4, 5 and 6 we have lot of experience. We’re trying to adapt according to the situations. Don’t think it would have made much difference today.”

IPL 2020: Mumbai Indians thump KKR by 8 wickets, Morgan starts with a loss