Credit: BCCI/IPL
Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians went on to win their third IPL title after defeating Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) by just one run in a thrilling finish at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on May 21, 2017. MI successfully defended a low total of 129 runs to get their hands on the title after 2013 and 2015. Mitchell Johnson and Jasprit Bumrah turned out to be stars with the ball as MI registered a thrilling victory.
Coming to bat first after winning the toss, MI got to a disastrous start as they lost both their openers at the score of eight runs in 2.4 overs. After that, skipper Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu put up a small partnership of 33 runs for the third wicket. Rohit scored 24 runs off 22 balls. After that, Krunal Pandya took charge of the innings and scored 47 runs off 38 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes as MI reached a competitive total of 129 runs for the loss of eight wickets. For RPS, Adam Zampa,, Dan Christian and Jaydev Unadkat scalped two wickets each.
Steve Smith’s 50 went in vain as MI clinched a last-ball thriller
Chasing the winning target, Rising Pune Supergiants lost their first wicket at the score of 17 runs in 2.2 overs. After that, Ajinkya Rahane and skipper Steve Smith took charge of the innings as the duo added 54 runs for the second wicket. Rahane got out after scoring 44(38) runs five boundaries, while Smith took the match to the last over with his steady knock of 51 runs off 50 balls with two fours and two sixes.
With seven runs needed from the last four balls, Steve Smith lost his wicket against Mitchell Johnson as MI were now back in the game. Now the match went down to the last ball with four runs required to win. After that, Dan Christian flicked towards mid-wicket and immediately called for a run with Washington Sundar at the non-striker’s end. However, the substitute fielder was present near the boundary and fumbled a couple of time before sending the ball towards the wicketkeeper. Coming to complete the third run, Sundar fell short as wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel made no mistake in collecting the ball and hitting the stumps as MI players started celebrating their third IPL title victory.
