Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Hyderabad
Mumbai Indians became the most successful franchise in the history of the Indian Premier League after their bowlers snatched a thrilling one-run victory over three-time champions Chennai Super Kings in an edge-of-the-seat final.
Having posted a modest 149/8, butter-fingered Mumbai found themselves on the brink of defeat but Lasith Malinga conceded just seven runs off the final over to seal Mumbai’s fourth IPL title. Chennai opener Shane Watson rode his luck to smash the match’s only half-century but his 80 could not prevent his team going down to Mumbai for the fourth time in this year’s IPL.
Earlier, Quinton de Kock smashed four sixes, including three in a Deepak Chahar (3/26) over, in his 29 but Mumbai lost both their openers, including skipper Rohit Sharma, in successive overs after opting to bat. De Kock fluffed his pull shot off Shardul Thakur, while Deepak Chahar foxed Rohit with a knuckle-ball with Chennai captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni taking both catches.
Boundaries soon dried up and pressure mounted on Mumbai who kept losing wickets in their stop-start innings. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir claimed a couple to finish as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker while Thakur took a brilliant running catch off his own bowling to dismiss Krunal Pandya. Krunal’s brother Hardik Pandya (16) did hardly any better but Kieron Pollard smashed three sixes in his 41* off 25 balls to help them to a modest total.
Faf du Plessis (26) and Watson survived a couple of mix-ups in an opening stand of 33 when Chennai replied. Watson struggled to find gaps initially but hung on, aided by generous doses of luck.
Watson dropped
Rahul Chahar dropped Watson twice, including once off his own bowling, while Malinga could not place himself under a swirling skyer when the all-rounder was on 31. Mumbai roared back into the contest by claiming three quick wickets, including that of Dhoni who perished trying to steal a second run only to be beaten by a direct throw. Chennai plundered 20 runs off the 16th over and as many from the 18th when Watson smashed Krunal Pandya for three successive sixes. There was more drama in the final over, with Watson running himself out after another mix-up, his exit leaving his team needing four off the last two deliveries. Thakur collected two off the fifth ball but Malinga then trapped him lbw with the final delivery of the match to trigger wild celebrations. — Reuters
The Awards
- Most Valuable Player: Andre Russell
- Purple Cap: Imran Tahir (26 wickets)
- Orange Cap: David Warner (692 runs at an average of 69)
- Best strike-rate: Andre Russell
- Best catch: Kieron Pollard
- Fair Play: Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Emerging Player: Shubman Gill (Strike-rate of 124.30, three half-centuries)
- Best ground and pitch: PCA & HCA (Rs 25 lakh)Our bowling in this tournament was excellent. At different stages, our bowlers put their hands up and brought us back in the game. Every bowler who got an opportunity put his hand up, whatever condition we played in. We backed our ability and our skills, and that’s probably why we got rewards. I had confidence in Malinga despite a poor third over. He also had confidence he could do it — Rohit Sharma, MI captainWe know final can be close, so wanted to stay calm. Winning fourth title for Mumbai makes me very happy. Today, I was surprisingly very calm. Wasn’t panicking, just focusing on the next ball. Doesn’t help taking extra pressure, instead I back my skills — Jasprit Bumrah, Man of the match
Wasn’t one of those years where we played very good cricket. It was quite a funny game, we were passing the trophy to each other. Both committed mistakes, and eventually the winning team was the one that committed one mistake less — MS Dhoni, CSK captain
