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James Franklin of the Mumbai Indians - Source: Getty Images
New Zealand's James Franklin hit four successive fours in the
final over to power Mumbai to a thrilling five-wicket victory over
hosts Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.
Ambati Rayudu then hit a six off the final ball to complete the
amazing heist and secure their playoff berth.
Reeling at 137 for five in the 18th over, Mumbai's chase looked
doomed with the visitors needing 21 off the last over, sent down by
Lakshmipathy Balaji.
But Franklin scorched 45 not out before Rayudu clubbed a full toss
over the deep square leg boundary to secure an unlikely
victory.
Put into bat at Eden Gardens, Kolkata posted a commanding 175 for
seven with useful contributions from Jacques Kallis (59), Manoj
Tiwary (35) and Yusuf Pathan (36).
But Franklin took the crucial wickets of Kallis and Pathan in what
was a hint of things to come.
Meanwhile, IPL top scorer Chris Gayle continued his purple patch by
blasting an unbeaten 75 as Royal Challengers Bangalore crushed
Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets in today's other match to top
the points table.
The hosts restricted Chennai to 128 for eight, a total that owed
much to a 40-ball 70 from skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Gayle, however, matched Dhoni's big hitting with six sixes in his
50-ball knock as Bangalore reached the target with two overs to
spare.
Chennai and Bangalore will meet again in Tuesday's first playoff in
Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, a day before Kolkata take on Mumbai in
the second playoff at the same venue.
