Pat Cummins was an unlikely star with the bat as he smashed a joint-fastest 14-ball IPL fifty to power Kolkata Knight Riders to a stunning victory over Mumbai Indians on Wednesday.
The Australian Test skipper joined Venkatesh Iyer with Kolkata on 101-5 while chasing 162 and tore into the Mumbai attack with his 56 off 15 balls as the two-time champions reached their target with four overs to spare in Pune.
The left-handed Venkatesh had the best seat in the house as Cummins, who played his first IPL match after completing his mandatory quarantine, hit six sixes including the winning hit over the fence in a 35-run Daniel Sams over.
Cummins’ effort equalled KL Rahul’s 50 off 14 balls for Kings XI Punjab – now Punjab Kings – in 2018 as Mumbai slipped to their third loss in as many matches.
Venkatesh hit an unbeaten 50 off 41 balls but his knock was completely overshadowed by the Cummins blitz as the pair put on 61 off 18 balls after Andre Russell returned to the pavilion.
Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma said the loss will be “hard to digest” after Suryakumar Yadav, with his unbeaten 36-ball 52, guided Mumbai to 161-4.
Here are some reactions to Cummins’ knock:
Did that really happen? Everyone a little wide-eyed.... Innings of the #TataIPL so far. #PatCummins https://t.co/pVIWhJ9m9D
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 6, 2022
Fastest fifties in IPL history:
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) April 6, 2022
14 balls : KL Rahul v DC, 2018
14 balls : Pat Cummins v MI, 2022*
15 balls : Yusuf Pathan v SRH, 2014
15 balls : Sunil Narine v RCB, 2017#KKRvsMI
What did I just see now ? Unbelievable @patcummins30 😮 #MIvKKR #TataIPL
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) April 6, 2022
What an inning, what an inning!!
— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) April 6, 2022
Pat Cummins you can't do anything wrong today. One of those days where you feel happy you are not bowling in the match. Mumbai made a blunder by not giving ball to a spinner. #KKRvsMI #IPL2022
Highest strike-rate for a 50+ score in IPL:
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) April 6, 2022
373.33 - Pat Cummins v MI, today
348.00 - Suresh Raina v PBKS, 2014
327.27 - Yusuf Pathan v SRH, 2014#IPL2022 #MIvKKR
Furious counter-attack by Cummins and Venkatesh leaves MI further in the dumps. Had a decent total to defend but had no answer for two intrepid batsmen who showed exceptional power hitting skills
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 6, 2022
Rohit looks very annoyed today. He’s usually unruffled.
— Tareque Laskar (@tarequelaskar) April 6, 2022
If the number 1 Test BOWLER can bat like this... I have no words. What a player!! #IPL2022
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) April 6, 2022
Petition to make Pat Cummins open for KKR with Venkatesh Iyer after that ridiculous innings for the Aussie red ball captains ! Take a bow !#KKRvsMI #TATAIPL2022
— Shlok Ramchandran (@shlokh95) April 6, 2022
Most expensive overs in IPL
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) April 6, 2022
37 P Parameshwaran vs RCB, Bengaluru 2011
37 Harshal Patel vs CSK, Mumbai WS 2021
35 Daniel Sams vs KKR, Pune 2022
33 Ravi Bopara vs KKR, Kolkata 2010
33 Parwinder Awana vs CSK, Mumbai WS 2014#KKRvMI #IPL2022
When the best fast bowler in the world hits a half century in just 14 balls, then you know he is a very special cricketer. @patcummins30 was just outstanding tonight. Special innings. #MIvsKKR
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) April 6, 2022
First thing every Aussie needs to do when they wake up this morning: watch Patty Cummins’ superb knock from last night! 🤯🤯 #KKRvMI pic.twitter.com/ZlZlhOjwDe
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) April 6, 2022
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 6, 2022
@patcummins30 I want to dance like Andre & hug u like the whole team did. Wow well done @KKRiders and what else is there to say!!!…’PAT’ DIYE CHAKKE!!!
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) April 6, 2022
Pat came. Pat saw. Pat conquered. 🙌@patcummins30 #KKRHaiTaiyaar #KKRvMI #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/bPZgOazY4g
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 6, 2022
Pat Cummins is basically that person who says “I’ll dress casual” but ends up looking fire at the party 🔥🔥
— Myntra (@myntra) April 6, 2022
Ravi Shastri on Pat Cummins' knock: "It's like someone's giving you a chocolate and you saying thaaaan...before you can say thank you it's back in the other guy's mouth and he's saying thank you" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) April 6, 2022
Couldn't have said it better...#KKRvMI
With inputs from AFP