Chasing down targets is familiar territory for Mumbai Indians in IPL-10. Rohit Sharma switched on form to guide his team within sight of victory over Rising Pune Supergiant at the Wankhede stadium.
Jaydev Unadkat, tasked with sending down the 20th over, denied the 17 runs needed by the home team and got the visitors over the line by three runs. The home team finished on 157 for eight in a thriller.
Ben Stokes had a hand in the RPS fightback with a tight 19th over, then took a catch to stop the rampaging Hardik Pandya.
The MI captain’s best knock in the 10th edition (58, 39b, 6x4, 3x6) did not matter in the end, caught by Unadkat in the dramatic final over, the bowler injuring himself in the process.
Imran Tahir’s wicket of Kieron Pollard in the 17th over added to the suspense.
The huge West Indian stepped out to scoop over cover a ball pitched up by the South African. RPS captain Steve Smith took off on a curving run from long-off to his left and completed the catch with ease.
Ben Stokes started with a wicket-maden, sending back the dangerous Jos Buttler in the fifth over.
RPS reposed faith in off-spinner Washington Sundar against the strokeplayers. Drafted in as replacement for R. Ashwin, the 17-year-old held his nerve for creditable figures of 4-0-26-1.
Manoj Tiwary put down a catch at cover off Tahir, the slip did not prove costly as Stokes sent back pinch-hitter Karn Sharma.
Earlier, Bumrah denied the Wankhede stadium fans the joy of watching M.S. Dhoni in attack mode.
Forced to give the charge and overs running out, the big-hitter swung and played on a delivery pitched on the stumps.
Bumrah’s cool head and knack of hitting the length fetched him a second strike, Manoj Tiwary trapped in front. RPS compiled a fighting 160 for six on a wicket tough on batsmen.
Rahul Tripathi top-scored (45 off 31 balls) before holing out against leg-spinner Karn.
RPS openers Ajinkya Rahane and Tripathi kept the fielders busy in the PowerPlay, as the six overs fetched 48 runs.
McClenaghan steaming in at full blast motivated the openers to switch into next gear.
Harbhajan claimed his 200th wicket in the IPL when Smith attempted a pull, saw the ball arriving late and taking his off-stump. RPS had slipped to 104 for three in 13 overs and the off-spinner screamed in relief at the outcome. He had messed up a catch on the fence off Karn.
Karn and Harbhajan had finished their quota, leaving Dhoni and Stokes to plan the assault. Bumrah stepped in to remove the former.
