Rahul Tripathi and Venkatesh Iyer struck fluent half-centuries to guide Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to a comfortable seven-wicket win over defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in an Indian Premier League match (IPL) at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi.

Chasing 156, KKR produced a solid batting effort with Tripathi (74 not out off 42 balls) and Iyer (53 off 30 balls) putting on 88 runs for the second wicket to take the side home in 15.1 overs.

“It is extremely pleasing. We want the best for everybody in the dressing room, the aggressive cricket that we have shown in the last two games is exactly what suits the talented guys in our team,” said Morgan during the virtual press conference.

Earlier, MI posted a competitive 155 for six. Sent into bat, Quinton de Kock (55 off 42 balls) scored a fine attacking fifty and together with skipper Rohit Sharma (33) shared 78 runs for the opening wicket to lay the foundation for MI’s total. Ferguson (2/27) was the pick of the bowlers for KKR, while young Prasidh Krishna (2/43) too accounted for two MI batsmen.

Morgan feels that KKR’s change of fortune in the UAE leg of the IPL is not about one player but it is a collective effort. However, the KKR skipper showered praise on southpaw Venkatesh Iyer, who has taken the IPL by storm.

“I don’t think it is one player who has changed the outlook of the team. The last two games, the superstars in our side, have been the bowlers. It has been a collective performance, which has been set by our bowlers,” said Morgan.

“Venkatesh played an innings against MI that would match a guy who has played 50 IPL games. The freedom in which he has played with has been really imposing,” he added.

KKR will face Chennai Super Kings on Sunday.