IPL 2012: Narine guides Kolkata Knight Riders into playoffs

Match between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders was not a high scoring match and KKR playing first managed only 140 but it was the decision of Gambhir to play three spinners that made the difference. KKR marked a 32 runs win over MI and Narine was the architect with 4 wickets in his 3.1 overs giving just 15 runs.

Balaji and Kallis took 2 wickets while Iqbal Abdulla and Shakib took one wicket each in their 4 overs but restricted batsmen from scoring runs.

KKR batting first found it difficult to score runs and a wrong decision by umpire followed by a superb delivery by RP Singh worsened the situation. Tiwary consolidated the innings with his 41 runs stand and with tail-enders took KKR to 140. In the 2nd over McCullum was given out lbw by Subroto Das when he was way outside the crease and the ball was pitched outside leg and was missing off-stump. He followed that delivery with a superb delivery that swung in and took the off-stump of Kallis.

During the chase, Mumbai's batsmen started very slowly with Gibbs making 13 runs in 24 balls and Tendulkar making 27 in 24 balls, rest of the team couldn't contribute much and there was no fire, no big shots from any of the batsmen.

With this win Kolkata Knight Riders are through to the playoffs with one match still to play that can ensure there position in top two and avoid the eliminator. While Mumbai is still at 3rd position with 18 points and have one last shot to make it to the top four.

Narine was awarded man of the match.

65th match of the Indian Premier League was played at the Wankhede stadium of Mumbai in which KKR defeated MI by 32 runs.