IPL 2026: KKR vs MI Highlights, Match 65 - Stats, Player of the Match & More

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) remained alive in the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) playoffs race, following a 4-wicket win against Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 65 on Wednesday, May 20. Being asked to bat first, MI staggered their way to post a below-par score of 147/8 in their 20 overs.

It took a valuable lower-order cameo from Corbin Bosch (32* off 18) to help his side cross the 140-run mark. Cameron Green (2/23, 3 overs), Saurabh Dubey (2/34) and Kartik Tyagi (2/37) scalped two wickets each for KKR. 

In reply, Kolkata chased down the target in 18.5 overs, courtesy of brilliant knocks from Rovman Powell (40 off 30) and Manish Pandey. The duo stitched a 64-run stand off 47 balls for the fourth wicket after the hosts were reduced to 54/3 after 7.1 overs.

Meanwhile, following their win, KKR rose to the sixth spot on the IPL 2026 points table with six wins from 13 matches, having 12 points to their name. On the other hand, MI continue to reel at the second-last spot (ninth) with eight points from 13 matches.

Top run-scorer of the Match

Top wicket-taker of the Match

Player of the Match

Manish Pandey was adjudged Player of the Match for his brilliant knock. He stitched a crucial stand with Rovman Powell to help KKR control the run chase. He played a brilliant knock of 45 (33) laced with six fours.

Turning Point

MI had a great chance to nip the partnership between Pandey and Powell in the bud when the latter hit Hardik Pandya towards deep mid-wicket in the tenth over. However, Deepak Chahar and Robin Minz, who were stationed on the boundary, failed to grab hold of the ball as it fell right in between the two fielders, who were left staring at each other’s faces.

Powell was on 14 when the opportunity went down. His dismissal would’ve allowed MI to make further inroads into the KKR’s fragile batting lineup.

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Ajinkya Rahane (Kolkata Knight Riders):

(What changes did KKR bring in?) I think the belief which we had after six matches, we had a couple of good discussions amongst everyone, frank discussions. We were playing some good cricket, but this format is about, winning those crucial moments. And after that game, when we went to that break, that win was really important. That changed the mood for us and then everyone started believing. Belief was already there, but I thought the credit goes to all the support staff. The atmosphere is really difficult when you lose six games and then going into the break, it's really challenging, but no credit to everyone. We kept nice and positive atmosphere. Preparation has been fantastic. So yeah, that's the reason. (Talking about Green) I mean, when he started bowling, we saw, you know, we wanted Roman Powell to get in and what impact he had made, when Cameron Green started bowling. So that was really important for us. I was really happy with Varun and Sunny bowling together, but I just want to mention a few names. Anukul Roy, Kartik Tyagi, taking that responsibility, you know, carrying that performance from the domestic season, that confidence and getting it here, bowling under pressure each and every time and contribution has been amazing. Really happy for Manish Pandey. I mean, his work ethics, his attitude when he was not playing, it was fantastic. It's really tough as a player when you're not playing a game and coming day in, day out, keep working hard on your batting, on your fielding, that attitude, team mindset, that's what is really important. And I mean, tonight's knock, I'm really happy for Manish Pandey. In fact, each and every team member is really happy for Manish Pandey. (Asked if they have plans for the next game) We just want to take one game at a time. We'll get to know, MI is playing before us against Rajasthan Royals. But again, what has worked for us in the last 6-7 games is just staying in the moment, giving our best and winning those crucial moments. And yeah, be in the moment.

Losing Captain, Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians):

(Where you about 20 runs short?) Yeah, I mean, quite entertaining. Definitely as a batting group, we were 20 short. I think we lost a lot of wickets in powerplay, but if Tilak and I would have stayed longer, and we had stitched a couple of more partnership and got those 15-20 runs, I think we would have had a decent chance. (What was the pitch like?) I mean, to be very honest, I don't mind playing on this sort of wickets where bowlers have something to do. I think IPL is becoming quite batting-dominated. Bowlers are feeling helpless. I think today's game kind of gave bowlers something as well, which kind of makes them come and bowl some good balls, make batsmen play some good cricket and score runs. So, I kind of enjoyed it. (What was going on in the field?) I don't know. I think throughout the season, we've been quite poor in fielding. I think we have dropped a lot of catches, which obviously no one wants to do it. But in that part of the game, I think there is no hiding away. I think if you get chances, if you want to win games, you need to grab all the chances, even half chances as well. But yeah, when you drop chances which can change the game, it's always you are chasing the game. (You would want to finish the season on a good note?) Yeah, absolutely. So, it's an ESA game. It's for the children. We just want to make sure that we come and get smile on those 25,000 kids and let them come and watch us play, and we entertain them, make them happy. I think it will be a lifetime memories for them.