RP Singh - 4-0-33-2
Kolkata's top order have done so well that this year, mainly thanks to the captain Gambhir, that their middle order is lacking in form because they simply have not had many opportunities. Thus early wickets are crucial against KKR to expose that scratchy middle order and MI did just this thanks to RP Singh with the new ball. He sent back two of Kolkata's experienced overseas players with consecutive deliveries in the 2nd over. The first was fortunate to say the least, McCullum somehow given out despite being a good 2 metres down the wicket to a ball pitching outside leg and going over the stumps, but the next ball to get Kallis was a beauty. It pitched on a perfect length in line with off and straightened to crash into the top of off stump, the ideal ball to bowl first up to the new man whose footwork wasn't quite there. RP could have had Gambhir out in his next over as Tendulkar spilled a tricky chance on the boundary that ended up going for 6 and his figures were later dented somewhat by bowling the death overs. RP Singh caused a major set back for KKR who in the end did well to recover to reach a somewhat respectable 140/7, thanks in the main to this start from the left-armer who showed good control of lines and movement.
Manjoy Tiwary - 41 from 43 balls
Having had such a successful season last year, elevating him to national selection, a lot was expected from Tiwary and no.4 is no easy place to bat in 20/20 cricket. In this game he looked much more assured from the outset and whilst his S/R may not look impressive it was a crucial innings to get Kolkata back into the match from a precarious situation. He hit a couple of cracking sixes off the bowling off Harbajahn, skipping down to loft him into the stands over mid-wicket, and Malinga who saw a slower ball picked up beautifully over his head for an elegant straight six. Tiwary was beginning to express himself having started cautiously and would have been frustrated to get out at a key moment at the start of the 15th over, even so it was an important knock both for his team and personally, as he looks to rediscover some form.
Lakshmipathy Balaji - 4-0-11-2
Kolkata under-performed with the bat and knew they'd have to pull off something special with the ball to get a win, luckily they did just this with MI dismissed for just 108. Mumbai had gone for a pace attack whereas KKR where clearly banking on spin at the Wankhede Stadium, having brought in the likes of Shakib and Abdulla, and this put a lot of pressure on the sole specialist seamer Balaji, who can be a mercurial bowler on his day, but I thought they'd miss Lee's experience. Not to be though as Balaji was exceptional from the start, beating Gibbs with a couple of perfect away swingers in the first over before returning in the middle overs to take the big wicket of Karthik who was playing cooly. I've seen Balaji unplayable at times only to follow it up with average displays in the next game but there's no doubting his performance in this match. He set the tone early on for his side with a high quality start and they never let the game slip up away from there, which is the risk when defending a low total.
Sunil Narine - 3.1-0-15-4 & MoM
There is no doubting who the surprise package of this IPL has been as Narine has well and truly made a name for himself as a world class limited overs bowler, taking the purple cap from Malinga in the process. In 12 games he has 21 wickets at an awesome economy of just 5.25 and I'm yet to see a batsman look comfortable against him. More of the same against Mumbai here, it's clear to see that Gambhir sees him as the match-winner, with the use of Narine's 4 overs being of paramount importance, and it's not often he disappoints. He came on early to bowl in the powerplay to no avail and was immediately withdrawn from the attack only to return in the 11th over to send back a clueless Tendulkar who was bowled when looking to cut a ball that ended up far too straight for the shot. It's not often you see a bowler outclass the Little Master and shows just how good Narine really is! The fact that he turns it both ways and is seemingly impossible to read makes him a fearsome death bowler and when Mumbai were needing upward of 14 an over in the last few you just felt KKR would be sure of the win with Narine still having a couple of overs up his sleeve. He picked up a few more wickets and now will rightly wear that purple cap, unless Malinga has something to say about it.
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