Dream XI IPL 2020 
5th Match: Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKK) Played at Abu Jayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi 
On 23 September 2020 
Brief Scorecard: Mumbai Indians 195/5 in 20 Overs (RG Sharma 80, SA Yadav 47, SSTiwary 21, Shivam Mavi 2/32) Beat Kolkata Knight Riders 146/9 in 20 Overs (PJ Cummins 33, KD Karthik 2/30, R Rana 24, JL Pattinson 2/25, RD Chahar 2/26, TA Boult 2/30, JJ Bumrah 2/32) by 49 Runs 
Player Of The Match: RG Sharma 

Reigning Champion after shocking defeat in the inaugural match of IPL 2020 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bounced back brilliantly in the second match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by a huge margin of 49 runs. Flamboyant Rohit Sharma leading his charge blasting an impressive 80 runs of 54 deliveries striking 3 fours and 6 sixes laid the solid foundation for large enough 195/5 score after being asked to bat. Very strong bowling unit of MI then firing in all cylinders restricted KKR to 146/9. MI won by 49 runs.

It was great turning around of reigning champions MI after reverse in the first match. MI produced a good score riding on Rohit -Yadav 96 runs 2nd wicket partnership. We do not think Pandya brothers and rest of the batting could shrug off the rust of playing after a long COVID pandemic lay off. At some stage or other against stronger bowling attack Pandya brothers and Pollard will need to make significant contributions. Inserted by KKR captain Karthik MI lost Quinton de Cock in the very second over. Luckily Rohit found his Midas touch. Yadav joining his captain stitched up a dynamic 90 runs second wicket partnership. Yadav left after scoring 47 runs. Rohit went on going deep. When he got out scoring 80 MI reached 4/177 by the 15th over. MI could reach 195/5, which in our opinion should have been at least 220. It has been seen all along that any typical Rohit innings creates mental scar of opposition team. We do not think KKR bowling was good enough to cause much of an worry for MI batting. Neither Cummins nor Narine could leave up to their reputations.

MI bowling unit comprising of Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, JL Pattinson and RD Chahar can tease and torment any team the day they click. Fortunately yesterday was one of those days for MI. They did not give any respite to KKR batting. Only Karthik (30) at the start  and Cummins (33) at the late order could show some fight. Pattinson (2/25), Chahar (2/26), Boult (2/30) and Bumrah (2/32) combined sweetly to decimate KKR to 146/9. MI won big by 49 runs.

Reigning Champions MI appeared to return back on track. 

BDST: 1203 HRS, SEP 24, 2020
SMS