Kolkata Knight Riders’ commendable bowling effort followed by Manish Pandey and Rovman Powell’s useful knocks helped the three-time champion post a four-wicket win over Mumbai Indians and stay alive in the race for a playoffs berth in the IPL at Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

After Ajinkya Rahane chose to field, Cameron Green, Saurabh Dubey, and Kartik Tyagi took two wickets each as KKR’s disciplined bowling restricted Mumbai Indians to 147 for eight. The host achieved the target with seven balls to spare.

KKR bowlers delivered their best PowerPlay (46 for four) of the season. Green struck twice in his first over, removing Ryan Rickelton to a fine Manish Pandey catch and having Naman Dhir caught behind. Left-arm seamer Saurabh then dismissed Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav in consecutive overs. Rohit’s mistimed shot was spectacularly caught by Green after a 33-yard run from mid-on, avoiding a collision with Rovman Powell. Suryakumar dragged one onto his stumps.

Following an hour’s rain interruption, KKR spinners took control. The crafty Sunil Narine dished out his variety, while Varun Chakaravarthy, nursing a foot injury, bowled tidily.

Tilak Varma survived on 12 when Varun dropped a return catch. The left-hander fell soon after, pulling Tyagi to backward square-leg.

Narine bowled Hardik Pandya before Corbin Bosch’s unbeaten 32 in the death overs added some respectability to MI’s total.

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In reply, KKR lost Finn Allen in the first over before Rahane and Manish Pandey added 38 runs.

Bosch executed his plans well to account for Rahane and Green in successive overs.

Batting for the first time in the season in five outings, Manish (45), who last batted for KKR about a year ago, applied himself on the tricky surface and batted sensibly.

Manish, who gathered boundaries through straight hits and square cuts, and Rovman Powell, who picked his areas on both sides to play big hits, cut down on their flamboyance to forge a vital 64-run partnership.

The fall of Manish and Powell in back-to-back overs put KKR under pressure before Rinku Singh hung on to ensure the host’s victory well past midnight.

Published on May 21, 2026