MUMBAI MIRACLE
Every ball counts, rather dot balls and Mumbai Indians bowled 53 dot balls to clinch their third Indian Premier League title by a run while defending 129 against Rising Pune Supergiant at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday.
It was a difficult track to get runs unless a batsman showed patience and played correct cricket shots. As long as Ajinkya Rahane (44 runs, 38 balls, five 4s) was at the crease with captain Steve Smith (51 runs, 50 balls, two 4s, two 6s) Pune team looked in the driver’s seat. The asking rate was climbing but 14 runs in 16th over taken by Smith seemed to have brought the Cup in Supergiant’s clasp but in the final over Smith’s Australian compatriot Mitchell Johnson (3/26) took two wickets, including Smith’s, to derail the Rising Pune Supergiant and the last bowl run out thwarted them from forcing a Super Over.
Earlier, Rising Pune Supergiant stifled Mumbai Indians to 129 for 8 riding on commendable bowling effort. The two-time champions were completely off-colour with the willow as they played an astounding 54 dot balls (9 maiden overs) in 20 overs, a testimony to their plight.
Save Krunal Pandya (47 off 38 balls), who watched helplessly from the other end, none of the MI batsmen showed judiciousness expected on the grand stage. It was because of Krunal’s late hitting (three fours and two sixes) that MI managed to reach close to 130 after being reduced to 79 for 7. Jaydev Unadkat’s (2/19 in 4 overs) dream edition just got better as he dealt twin blows in the third over removing both Parthiv Patel (4) and Lendl Simmons (3) within a space of three deliveries.
Patel mistimed a pull-shot that was taken by Shardul Thakur at mid-on while Simmons was foxed by a slower one which Unadkat smartly snapped inches off the surface. At 8 for 2, Mumbai’s most seasoned pair of skipper Rohit Sharma (24) and Ambati Rayudu (12) came together.
However, they couldn’t get going with Washington Sundar (0/13 in 4 overs) again proving to be exceptional during the Powerplay overs. The 17-year-old bowled 15 dot balls in all -- bowling two in Powerplays and two during the middle overs.
Mumbai were under pressure at 16 for 2 in 5 overs before Rohit picked up Lockie Ferguson for some special treatment, hitting four boundaries to get a move on.
But it wasn’t long before Rayudu was found short failing to beat Steve Smith’s direct throw.
The MI skipper would be cursing himself as it was a half-tracker from Adam Zampa (2/32 in 4 overs) which he pulled to mid-wicket fence where Shardul Thakur showed fantastic balance while latching onto a well-judged catch.
Kieron Pollard (7) hit a first-ball six off Zampa but that encouraged the leggie to again flight one outside the off-stump. Pollard took the bait and as has been the case with him was taken in deep by Manoj Tiwary. At 56 for 5, Mumbai Indians didn’t have any chance of recovery. Pandya brothers have had a good tournament but on the day when it mattered most, Hardik played across the line to Dan Christian to be adjudged leg-before.
Shardul once again showed street smartness as he backed up at the striker’s end after Karn Sharma’s catch was missed by Christian. But his throw saw Shardul racing past Karn to dislodge the bails leaving MI shattered at 79 for 7.