Pune pin down Mumbai
Supergiant defend their modest total of 160 as Mumbai Indians fall 3 runs short
Rising Pune Supergiant halted Mumbai Indians juggernaut with a threerun win in a thrilling Maharashtra Derby at the Wankhede Stadium here on Monday.
The visitors picked wickets at regular intervals and executed well in the death overs to defend their mediocre score of 160/6. This was Mumbai Indians first loss after six wins. Ironically their first loss had also come against the same team.
Ben Stokes (2/21) was pick of the bowlers and took a decisive forward diving catch to dismiss Hardik Pandya (13) and deliver the killer punch. He had conceded just seven in the penultimate over to leave hosts 17 to get in last over from Jaydev Unadkat.
Rohit Sharma, who had scored just 54 in previous seven games, stepped up his game to smash 58 in 39 balls with six boundaries and three big sixes but it wasn’t enough.
Mumbai Indians got off to a decent start with 35 runs in four overs but Ben Stokes bowled maiden wicket over in which he removed dangerous Jos Buttler (18) to derail the chase of 161.
Parthiv Patel 33 (27b, 4x4) was looking to achor the chase but missed a straight last ball of Washington Sundar's spell (1/26) while attempting a cut shot. Stokes who was yet to concede a run, removed Karn Sharma in his second over as hosts chase lacked purpose.
Rohit Sharma provided the kick to the chase in company of Kieron Pollard (9) but Tahir who conceded just four runs in the 17th over and dismissed Pollard to leave hosts 35 runs further requirement in three overs which proved too much in the end as they managed to score only 157/8.