The Indian Premier League (IPL) final was a pulsating encounter. Mumbai Indians’ total of 129 for eight looked below par, especially when Rising Pune Supergiant were placed at 98 for 2 with nearly four overs to go. But some remarkable death-over bowling secured a third IPL title for Mumbai.
Here, we look at five moments where the game changed course.
UNADKAT’S DOUBLE STRIKES
Rising Pune Supergiant seamer Jaydev Unadkat has been the surprise package this season and he came up with his ‘A’ game in the final as well.
Unadkat removed Parthiv Patel with a bouncer and then dismissed Lendl Simmons with an athletic caught and bowled effort. Mumbai were reduced to 8-2.
PANDYA ON THE CHARGE
Mumbai were 78-6 in the 14th over and struggling to reach triple figures. Krunal Pandya chose the perfect platform to show his full repertoire of strokes, smashing a 38-ball 47 with three hits to the fence and two over it.
Had it not been for Pandya, Mumbai would have been long out of the contest.
RAHANE AND SMITH KEEP THEIR COOL
Chasing 130 can be tricky and after Pune lost Rahul Tripathi, Ajinkya Rahane (44 off 38 balls) and Smith steadied the ship with a 54-run partnership.
With the two in the middle, Pune were the firm favourites.
BUMRAH SETS THE CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS
Jasprit Bumrah knows a thing or two about squeezing the life out of batsmen in the latter part of an innings.
He got MS Dhoni out caught behind for 10 and finished with figures of 2-26 from his four overs, which knocked Pune off track.
MENACING MITCH
Mitchell Johnson retired from international cricket in 2015. But the Aussie quick showed he still is on top of his game.
Bowling the final over defending 11, he held his nerves despite being hit for a four off the first ball. Two wickets in two balls set Mumbai on their way to their third IPL title.