On March 31, 2025, the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai witnessed an electrifying clash between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 12th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. In a game that showcased Mumbai’s resurgence and KKR’s unexpected stumble, MI clinched a commanding eight-wicket victory with 43 balls to spare. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the match highlights and the full scorecard that defined this one-sided affair.
Match Highlights: Mumbai Indians Dominate from Start to Finish
The evening began with Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya winning the toss and opting to bowl first, a decision that set the tone for MI’s dominance. KKR, the defending champions, walked out with high hopes but were quickly rattled by Mumbai’s disciplined bowling attack on a pitch that offered a fair balance between bat and ball.
KKR’s Batting Collapse
KKR’s innings got off to a disastrous start as Trent Boult struck in the very first over, dismissing the dangerous Sunil Narine for a duck. The woes continued when Quinton de Kock fell for just 1 in the next over, caught off Deepak Chahar’s bowling. Debutant Ashwani Kumar then stole the spotlight, claiming KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane (11) with his first IPL delivery—a moment that announced his arrival on the big stage. Venkatesh Iyer (3) followed soon after, leaving KKR reeling at 41/4 by the end of the powerplay.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi (26) showed some fight, but Hardik Pandya’s timely strike ended his resistance. Ashwani Kumar continued his dream debut, picking up Rinku Singh (17), Andre Russell (8), and Manish Pandey (19) to finish with figures of 4/24. Ramandeep Singh’s late cameo of 22 provided some respectability, but KKR were bundled out for a paltry 116 in 16.2 overs. Mumbai’s bowlers, including Boult (1/18), Chahar (2/20), and Mitchell Santner (1/15), were relentless, exposing KKR’s fragile batting lineup.
MI’s Clinical Chase
Chasing a modest 117, Mumbai Indians approached the task with confidence. Openers Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma started steadily, putting on 46 runs before Andre Russell dismissed Sharma for 13. Rickelton, however, remained unfazed, anchoring the innings with a composed 62* off 41 balls, including six fours and two sixes. His maiden IPL fifty came off a Narine half-tracker, smashed over deep midwicket—a shot that epitomized his control.
Will Jacks (16) provided brief support before falling to Russell, but Suryakumar Yadav’s arrival turned the chase into a spectacle. Yadav’s unbeaten 27 off 9 balls, featuring two fours and a match-winning six off Russell, sealed the deal in style. MI reached 121/2 in just 12.5 overs, showcasing their batting depth and intent. KKR’s bowlers, including Russell (2/35), struggled to find answers as the dew made conditions tougher in the second innings.
Key Performances
- Ashwani Kumar (MI): A debut to remember with 4/24, dismantling KKR’s middle order.
- Ryan Rickelton (MI): 62* off 41 balls, a match-defining knock that steadied and finished the chase.
- Suryakumar Yadav (MI): 27* off 9 balls, a fiery cameo that underlined his class.
- Andre Russell (KKR): 2/35, the lone bright spot in KKR’s bowling effort.
Full Scorecard
Kolkata Knight Riders Innings: 116 all out (16.2 overs)
- Quinton de Kock: 1 (5) – c Jacks b Chahar
- Sunil Narine: 0 (2) – b Boult
- Venkatesh Iyer: 3 (6) – c Yadav b Chahar
- Ajinkya Rahane (c): 11 (9) – c Pandya b Kumar
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi: 26 (18) – c Jacks b Pandya
- Rinku Singh: 17 (15) – c Dhir b Kumar
- Andre Russell: 8 (7) – b Kumar
- Manish Pandey: 19 (20) – c Boult b Kumar
- Ramandeep Singh: 22 (14) – c Yadav b Santner
- Harshit Rana: 4 (5) – c Dhir b Puthur
- Spencer Johnson: 0 (1) – not out
- Extras: 5 (lb 2, w 3)
- Total: 116 (16.2 overs)
- Fall of Wickets: 1-1, 2-2, 3-25, 4-41, 5-45, 6-64, 7-80, 8-88, 9-99, 10-116
- Bowling (MI): Boult 4-0-18-1, Chahar 3-0-20-2, Kumar 4-0-24-4, Pandya 2-0-15-1, Santner 2.2-0-15-1, Puthur 1-0-22-1
Mumbai Indians Innings: 121/2 (12.5 overs)
- Ryan Rickelton: 62* (41) – not out
- Rohit Sharma: 13 (12) – c Rahane b Russell
- Will Jacks: 16 (14) – c Rahane b Russell
- Suryakumar Yadav: 27* (9) – not out
- Extras: 3 (w 3)
- Total: 121/2 (12.5 overs)
- Fall of Wickets: 1-46, 2-91
- Bowling (KKR): Johnson 2-0-18-0, Narine 4-0-32-0, Rana 2-0-22-0, Varun 2-0-10-0, Russell 2.5-0-35-2
Post-Match Analysis
This victory marked Mumbai Indians’ first win of IPL 2025, propelling them to sixth on the points table with a net run rate of +0.309. For KKR, the loss was a harsh reality check, dropping them to the bottom with a dismal -1.426 NRR. Ashwani Kumar’s heroics and Rickelton’s composure were the standout moments, while KKR’s reckless batting and lackluster bowling raised questions about their title defense.
As the IPL 2025 season heats up, Mumbai Indians will look to build on this momentum, while KKR must regroup quickly. The Wankhede faithful left the stadium buzzing, having witnessed a performance that reignited MI’s campaign in style.
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