IPL 2020 MI vs KKR highlights: Mumbai wins by 8 wickets, tops points table

Batting first, KKR made 148 for five. KKR's pace spearhead Pat Cummins top-scored with an unbeaten 36-ball 53 while new captain Eoin Morgan remained not out on 39 off 29 deliveries

5:20 PM

Dinesh Karthik as KKR skipper, here's what numbers say

In March 2018, Karthik was named as KKR's new captain, replacing their long-term skipper Gautam Gambhir. Under Karthik's leadership, KKR progressed to the playoffs stage in 2018 but were eliminated in the league stage last year. Karthik also led from the front in the 2018 IPL season, compiling 498 runs at an average of 49.8 and strike rate of 147.77.

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5:10 PM

Pressure from too much comparison

For Karthik, a major problem was constant comparisons with double IPL winning former skipper Gautam Gambhir, who was removed in 2018 after Karthik played that epic 8-ball-29 at the Nidahas Trophy.

 

The first season wasn't bad as he took the team to play-offs but the performance has tapered off since last season.

4:54 PM

Tactical mistakes made by Dinesh Karthik as captain

Not playing a quality spinner like Kuldeep Yadav on a slow Sharjah track did raise a few question marks about Karthik's opinion in selecting the playing 11.

 

His backing of young pacers Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti, two bowlers with same kind of variations, instead of a Prasidh Krishna, who was brilliant at the death agaimst KXIP, didn't speak too well of his flexibility in leadership approach too.

(Photo credit: Sportzpics for BCCI)
 

4:45 PM

How Dinesh Karthik failed as KKR captain in IPL 2020

The change in captaincy was always on the cards with a World Cup-winning captain in the KKR's mix.

Dinesh Karthik's captaincy had come under intense criticism due to the team's erratic campaign so far.

If KKR has won four games so far, it could well have been half as they had two miraculous escapes against Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab, matches where it was more about opposition losing than KKR winning.

Insult to injury was mystery spinner Sunil Narine being reported again for a suspect action. He has not been included in the side ever since the umpires raised objection to his action.

Karthik's own battig has been pretty scratchy save the half-century against Kings XI Punjab which also got him the man-of-the match award.

Strategically, he hasn't been at his best like the match against Delhi Capitals at Sharjah where he promoted himself ahead of Morgan, who is a bigger match-winner currently and also nearly got the team home.

(Photo credit: Sportzpics for BCCI)
 

4:40 PM

Morgan to lead KKR for remainder of IPL 2020

"...DK and Eoin have worked brilliantly together during this tournament and although Eoin takes over as captain, this is effectively a role swap and we expect that this transition will work in a seamless manner," Mysore said.

 

"On behalf of everyone at Kolkata Knight Riders, we thank DK for all his contributions as the captain over the past two and a half years and wish Eoin the very best going forward."

Photo credit: Sportzpics for BCCI
 

 

4:34 PM

Dinesh Karthik steps down from KKR's captaincy

Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik on Friday stepped down as captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders team, handing over the reins to his English deputy Eoin Morgan hours before its today's IPL 2020 against Mumbai Indians at Sheikh Zayed.

Karthik told the KKR management that he wants to "focus on his batting and contributing more to the team's cause." Appointed skipper in 2018, the 35-year-old led KKR in 37 matches.

"We are fortunate to have leaders such as DK, who has always put the team first. It takes a lot of courage for someone like him to take a decision such as this," team CEO Venky Mysore said in a statement.

"While we were surprised by his decision, we are respectful of his wishes."

Photo credit: Sportzpics for BCCI