Follow UsFormer England spinner Graeme Swann was in awe of Pat Cummins' whirlwind knock of 56 not out off 15 balls, which helped Kolkata Knight Riders beat Mumbai Indians by five wickets at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Wednesday.
Cummins clubbed six massive sixes and four boundaries in his innings, including 35 runs off Daniel Sams' 16th over as he equalled KL Rahul's record for fastest IPL fifty in the same over with a boundary at deep square leg.
"Everybody thought it was Mumbai's game after Russell got out, but Pat Cummins. What on earth! What did he eat in Pakistan? He has always been a good bowler and a good hitter, but that was ridiculous," Swann said on Cricket.com's review of the match.
In chase of 162, KKR lost Andre Russell as their fifth wicket with 101 runs on the board in the 14th over. However, Cummins changed the complexion of the game within a couple of overs.
"It was just amazing from him taking the game by the scruff of the neck. Even Bazz McCullum wouldn't done it as well as that," Swann joked.
When asked if it's the finest innings he has seen from a bowler, Swann said: "Without a doubt. I mean, Pat is first of all a bowler, a bowling allrounder. Even the first six off the legs was enormous. He wasn't just swinging wildly, but picking it off the right areas where the ball was delivered and it was going miles. When you see someone who is hitting that cleanly, as a bowling team there's nothing you could do. It's just phenomenal stuff."
Swann was full off praise for KKR lead pacer Umesh Yadav, who has picked up six wickets inside the powerplay this season at an economy of 4.6. The Vidarbha man was once again key in the opening overs with the wicket of MI captain Rohit Sharma.
"He has come back bigger, badder and better than ever. If your economy is below 6 in T20 cricket, you are bowling incredibly well," the former off-spinner said.
Mumbai Indians also handed debut to South Africa's Under-19 star Dewald Brevis who finished the recent World Cup as the highest run-getter and scored a fluent 19-ball 29 against KKR. Swann was impressed with the courage Brevis showed against a seasoned bowling attack.
"Even though he got 29, this is was the most impressive debuts I've seen. Dewald Brevis, on his second ball, just smacked it over the top. This is not how an youngster's supposed to play (chuckles). You have to respect the bowlers - leave a couple, keep your eye in and slowly go through the gears. I was so excited by his knock and was gutted seeing a new superstar get out," Swann said.
Swann also felt Suryakumar Yadav's return was crucial for MI after the Indian batter helped them rebuild with a 36-ball 52 alongside Tilak Varma (38 not out off 27 balls) after a slow start. Kieron Pollard also found his scoring touch as he three sixes in his 5-ball 22.
"The way they rescued it was brilliant. They looked like they were way below par. It was great to see SKY back again, but they need some massive hits. Who else, but Kieron Pollard to do it," he said.
Mumbai, for the fifth time in IPL history, have lost their first three games(previously in 2008, 2014, 2015 and 2016). Despite a dismal start in 2015, they clinched the title.
"Tymal Mills bowled at excellent pace. Bumrah bowled well. They all bowled well. But in T20, it just needs one bit of brilliance... or a ten-minute brilliance to change the game."
"It's probably the worst thing that could happen to Mumbai. They've lost a game, they should've won. I'm surprised as anyone that it was taken away from them in such quick time," Swann said.
"It hard to bowl to someone who batted like Cummins did. But it seems as if though, they did not have a Plan B," he added.
Despite KKR going top of the table with three wins from four games, Swann felt it is too early to predict a favorite for the season.
"I truly believe that there are no clear favorites in IPL this year. I feel there are six or seven teams, who could beat each other at any given day. KKR had a brilliant win tonight, but they did not have an ideal game. RR had a couple of great games, but had a disappointing game the other night," he said.