The first qualifier match of IPL 2017 was something of a Maharashtra Derby, with both the teams being from that state. The Points Table leader, Mumbai Indians took on Rising Pune SuperGiants at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday. The first two teams on the table squared off against each other and the result was unexpected considering that MI went into the match with all the advantages going for them.
In match no. 57, the first qualifier of the Indian Premier League 2017, Mumbai would have been brimming with confidence. Not only did they win the most matches of the tournament so far, they were to play their qualifier before a home crowd and skipper Rohit Sharma also went on to win the toss; asking RPs to bat first.
Opener Rahul Tripathi's wicket was a prize early in the match; Mitchell McClenaghan claiming his first victim with just 6 runs on the board. Skipper Steve Smith failed to click with the bat for once; he departed at the dismal personal score of 1 with just 9 runs on board. Ajinkya Rahane (56 off 43) and Manoj Tiwary (58 off 48) steadied the innings.
India's Captain Cool (for many of us he will always be that, no matter who the actual captain is) came through in characteristic style. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s quick fire 40 off 26 (at the match best strike rate of 153) where he bludgeoned 5 sixes over the ropes and remained not out till the end helped RPS set a respectable target.
With 15 valuable runs coming off the last over, RPS set MI a target that many would argue would not have been enough for a team in the kind of form that MI seemed to be.
Things started off badly for Mumbai when Lendl Simmons was run out having scored just 5 runs. Although the doughty Parthiv Patel held fort at his end (scoring 52 off 40), wickets kept falling at regular intervals at the other end. Skipper Rohit Sharma departed for 1 off 2 balls, Ambati Rayudu went for 0 off 3 balls and Keiron Pollard managed just 7 off 10 balls.
Hardik Pandya (14 off 10) Krunal Pandya (15 off 11) and a late spurt from Jasprit Bumrah (16 off 11) could not stem the slide for MI and ultimately MI fell short by 20 runs, finishing off at 142 for 9. Lasith Malinga’s 6 off the last ball was in vain.
The perfect Catch of the Match went to winning captain Steve Smith. The award for the Maximum Sixes went to MSD for his amazing match best 5 sixes. The Stylish Player of the Match was Manoj Tiwary for his 58 run contribution.
It was Washington Sundar who came through for his team with the ball on the day. The three crucial wickets from the 17 year old from Chennai: Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu and Keiron Pollard and economical figures won him the Man of the Match award.
The first eliminator match takes place at M Chinnaswamy stadium at Bengaluru today between the Sunrisers Hyderarbad and Kolkata Knight Riders. The winners of that match will take on RPS in Pune on Sundayin the final at Hyderabad.
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