On this day, May 21, 2017: Mumbai Indians beat Rising Pune Super Giants by one run to win their third IPL title. It was the Final of the Indian Premier League 2017 played between Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Super Giants. It was Mumbai Indians who were batting first and they lost their openers early and were under pressure straight away. Unadkat was excellent with the new ball and picked up the wickets of Simmons and Parthiv in the third over of the match as Mumbai were reeling at 8/2.
Ambati Rayudu and Rohit Sharma consolidated things and put up a small partnership. The surface was two paced and not easy for batting. Ambati Rayudu was run out in the eighth over as Mumbai Indians were 41/3. Adam Zampa came into the attack and picked up the big wickets of Rohit Sharma and Pollard to put MI under further pressure. Mumbai Indians lost a couple more wickets and were struggling at 79/7. They were in danger of getting bowled out but Krunal Pandya stepped up under pressure.
The left hander took his time initially and played brilliantly with the tail to help Mumbai Indians post 129/8 at the end of the innings. Krunal Pandya finished with 47 and on a tricky surface he had given Mumbai Indians a glimmer of hope and something to bowl at. Chasing the target, RPS lost the wicket of Rahul Tripathi early as Bumrah picked up the first wicket.
Ajinkya Rahane and Steve Smith batted brilliantly and put up a good partnership to put RPS firmly ahead in the game. Rahane was the second batter to be dismissed as he fell for 44 and RPS were 71/2. Steve Smith batted through anchoring the innings but the required rate kept climbing and the other batters could not support him enough.
The game went down to the wire with Mitch Johnson bowling the final over of the match with 11 runs needed. RPS lost three wickets in the final over and fell short by 1 run as they finished 128/6. Mumbai Indians clinched yet another title and this game was a proper thriller. Krunal Pandya was the player of the match for his outstanding knock.
