Shaun, Sanath walk all over Kolkata

Mumbai: Sanath Jayasuriya played like the champion he is, while Shaun Pollock said it for the seniors, as the veterans combined to make the big match between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knoght Riders a ridiculously one-sided affair, the hosts winning by eight wickets off just 5.3 overs.

What has been touted as Sachin Tedndulkar's comeback over the past two matches, has essentially ended up being a Jayasuriya show, as the veteran has clobbered anything that has come his way, while the captain has struggled.

Mumbai were chasing only 67 runs, and even if they had been chasing a 100 more, they would have won.

While there was a fair amount of bounce and movement for the seamers in the track on Friday, but the Kolkata bowlers were given nothing to bowl with, and whatever little hope they had of creating inroads, after removing Tendulkar, were scotched by Jayasuriya, who continued in the same vein as in the match against Chennai Super Kings.

The margin could have been wider, had Robin Uthappa not fallen to a rather unnecessary shot off Ishant Sharma.

The 38-year-old Sri Lankan was unstoppable, and Shoaib, hoping to add to the success of removing Tendulkar, saw the left-hander crack two sixes on one over, decidedly settling the question of who would come out looking better.

Earlier, Shaun Pollock bowled a match-winning opening spell as Mumbai Indians sent Kolkata Knight Riders back to the dressing room for 67, the lowest-ever total in T-20 cricket, in just 15.1 overs.

Pollock returned figures of 3-12 off four overs, and was ably supported by Dwayne Bravo (2-13), Rohan Raje (2-16) and Dominic Thornely (2-7).

For Kolkata, skipper Sourav Ganguly could only watch as wicket after wicket fall from the other end, before he too departed, for just 15 runs. Ajit Agarkar also contributed 15, while Salman Butt scored 13, in a pathetic batting display.

Sachin Tendulkar, after having called correctly at the toss, grabbed four catches.

Mumbai Indians: Sanath Jayasuriya, Sachin Tendulkar, Robin Uthappa, Dominic Thornely, Dwayne Bravo, Shaun Pollock, Abhishek Nayar, Yogesh Takawale , Rajesh Pawar, Rohan Raje, Ashish Nehra.

Kolkata Knight Riders: Salman Butt, Aakash Chopra, Sourav Ganguly, David Hussey, Mohammad Hafeez, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Wriddhiman Saha, Shoaib Akhtar, Ishant Sharma, Ajit Agarkar, Ashoke Dinda.

More Headlines from News

• RR Gymkhana enter Lohia cricket semis

• Uncle's phone call does trick for Warnapura

• Australia satisfied with ICC's Task Force

• BCCI says it nominated Dhoni for award

• More prefers ECB event to Champs League