Mumbai Indians knocked out as Knights hand crushing defeat to defending champs

It was always going to be tough for Mumbai Indians without their regular skipper Rohit Sharma but the way the defending champions crumbled in a must-win tie was quite fascinating.

Northern Knights from New Zealand registered a crushing six-wicket win over the Indian Premier League franchise and booked main round place, along with Lahore Lions of Pakistan.

Scott Styris of Northern Knights celebrates the wicket of Lendl simmons of Mumbai Indians during the qualifier 5 match of the Oppo Champions League Twenty20 between the Southern Express and Mumbai Indians. Image Credit: Pal Pillai / Sportzpics/ CLT20

The Trans-Tasman side was in total control of the match right from the start and, despite few jitters at the end, managed to record a rather comfortable win over the home side.

Very few would have given the Knights a chance of reaching the main round, as the sub-continent conditions are not suited for them. They, still, against all odds, not only managed to qualify but also remain invincible in the qualifiers.

The kiwis, after electing to bowl first, put Indians under pressure by removing opener Michael Hussey (7) cheaply. Knights kept picking wickets on regular intervals and never allowed the defending champs to recover.

Scott Styris, despite being the oldest member of the side, put up an inspirational performance and finished with three wickets. Tim Southee also took three, while fellow pacer Trent Boult and Scott Kuggeleijn chipped in with one wicket each.

Mumbai Indians, in a must-win encounter, never got a partnership going and a best 29 runs stand happened between Harbhajan Singh (10) and Kieron Pollard (31) for the sixth wicket.

Kane Williamson of the NORTHERN KNIGHTS during the qualifier 6 match of the Champions League Twenty20 between the Mumbai Indians and the Northern Knights. Image Credit: Deepak Malik / Sportzpics/ CLT20

Pollard, however, struck some mighty blows but his resistance came to an end, when he was caught while attempting to clear the ropes.

Thanks to cameos from Lasith Malinga (8-ball 20) and Shreyas Gopal (12-ball 24), the two-time champions managed to reach a respectable total.

Chasing an easy 133, the kiwis were off to a perfect start as opener Anton Devcich (39) and Kane Williamson stitched an 83-run partnership. Williamson, meanwhile, completed his fifty and put Knights on course of a massive victory.

Williamson, however, couldn’t finish the job as the kiwi side lost wickets in bunches. BJ Watling (0) and Daniel Flynn (13) soon followed Williamson (53) to the dressing room, but Styris (3 not out) and Daryl Mitchell (16 not out) drove their team home.