Hardik Pandya said that MI failed to capitalise on the good start in their run-chase against KKR, leading to their defeat. On Saturday, May 11, Mumbai slumped to an 18-run loss to the Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. After being asked to chase down 158 in a rain-curtailed 16-over match, MI finished with 139 for 8.
Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma put on 65 runs for the opening wicket off 6.5 overs, but from there on, MI lost their way completely. While MI kept struggling at ninth in the table, KKR became the first team to make their way through to the playoffs.
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“As a batting unit, the foundation was there, but we could not capitalise and that cost us. The wicket was tacky, so momentum was important, but after that we couldn’t capitalise,” Hardik said after the match.
‘Bowlers did well’
Hardik lauded the bowlers for restricting the Knight Riders in good batting conditions, but admitted that MI have not been up to the mark throughout.
“Their score was par, given the conditions I thought the bowlers did well. When the balls returned from the boundary, it hit the cover and was wet. They did well. It seemed par but was a winning total. Just want to go and enjoy, play good cricket. That’s been the motto from the start but we haven’t played enough good cricket,” Hardik added.
After losing to KKR, Hardik’s men will go back home to face LSG in their last league match on May 17 at the Wankhede Stadium. Having already been knocked out of the competition, Mumbai will be looking to salvage some pride.
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