Hyderabad: Mitchell Johnson (3/26) held his nerve in the last over as Mumbai Indians (MI) scripted a thrilling one-run victory over Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) to win the IPL-10 title at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here Sunday.
Defending a measly score of 129 for 8, on a pitch not exactly tailor-made for T20 cricket, the MI bowlers rose to the occasion to restrict the opposition to 128 for six to win the title for the third time.
It was a case of so near and yet so far for Pune, who will not be there next year. When Johnson started the last over, 11 were required for victory. Manoj Tiwary hoiked the first delivery to square-leg for a boundary to bring down the equation to seven from five, but then the Aussie pacer struck back.
He had Tiwary caught at long-on by Kieron Pollard. RPS skipper Steve Smith (51, 50b, 2×4, 2×6) who had looked like taking his side over the line, then fell off the next delivery to a fantastic catch by Ambati Rayudu at the extra-cover fence. Trying an inside out shot, Smith could only watch haplessly as Rayudu plucked the ball out thin air to not only prevent a certain boundary, but also sent the batsman back into the hut. Seven from five had suddenly become seven from three. Dan Christian made a valiant effort, but then it was not be his day.
Earlier, the two-time champions were completely off colour with the willow as they played an astounding 54 dot balls, a testimony to their plight. It was Krunal Pandya (47, 38b, 3×4, 2×6), who took the innings past the 125-run mark after they had been reduced to 79 for seven.
Jaydev Unadkat (2/19) and Adam Zampa (2/32) picked up wickets, but the star of the Pune bowlers was Washington Sundar (0/13 off 4) who bowled in the power play overs. But in the end it was the Mumbai nerves, that prevailed.
Agencies
