Rohit Sharma’s extraordinary innings once again led Mumbai to win a match in this IPL. It was the third consecutive match won by Mumbai Indians and fifth of the ongoing season of IPL. Rising Pune Supergiants saw another blow at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Sunday.
Mumbai won the toss and elected to field first. The opening batsmen of RPS, Ajinkya Rahane, and Saurabh Tiwary gave RPS a flying start. Though Rahane was dismissed early in the second over of their innings but Tiwari smashed 57 runs off 45 balls.
The incoming batsman Steve Smith showed pure class and smashed 45 runs off 23 balls.
Smith was looking back in for and having Tiwari on the other side of the end, the duo led their team to reach 54/1 after completion of the powerplay.
Smith was using his experience to hit a half-century but Jasprit Bumrah bowled out smith and ended a partnership of 84 runs of Smith and Tiwari.
Peter Handscomb came to bat and tried to hit some big shots but his poor judgement sent him back on a ball bowled by Harbhajan Singh. Tiwari was holding up good and made his half-century off just 39 balls but was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah. M S Dhoni came to bat but failed to impress as he scored 24 runs off 24 balls in the innings and was soon dismissed by Bumrah.
Thisara Perera with the Help of Rajat Bhatia helped the team to cross the 150 runs mark and at the end of the innings, RPS made a total of 159 runs with the loss of 5 wickets.
Mumbai innings started and like always Rohit Sharma came up with an impressive knock, his unbeaten 85 runs included eight boundaries and three sixes and his smashing innings led Mumbai to chase down the total posted by Pune.
Rohit Sharma and Parthiv Patel gave a striking start to Mumbai. But Parthiv reached to 21 runs in his blazing innings and was dismissed by Ashok Dinda after hitting three consecutive boundaries. Parthiv’s wicket was dismissed in the 4th over of the game but Rohit was smashing shots with his pace. Incoming batsman, played positively and their partnership of 50 runs took the team to a comfortable position.
Rayudu scored 22 runs off 19 balls and in the 12th over of the game the batsman was dismissed by Ashwin.
Rayudu’s dismissal brought Pune back into the game but Rohit Sharma continued his good form in the ongoing tournament and also smashed yet another half-century in just 38 balls. His sensible innings was well supported at the other end by Jos Buttler. Buttler made unbeaten 27 runs in 17 balls and with Rohit, he cruised Mumbai to a spectacular win over Pune.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more updates. Don’t forget to like and share. Do tell us your views in the comment box below.
2 May, 2016
Avni S. Singh