MUMBAI, May 3, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Mumbai Indians Thursday survived a 71-run
blitz from Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman Manish Pandey to clinch victory in a
Super Over finish and qualify for the Indian Premier League play-offs.
The match had ended in a tie after Hyderabad, chasing 163 for victory,
finished their 20 overs on 162 for six, with Pandey unbeaten in his 47-ball
knock at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
South Africa’s Quinton de Kock stood out for Mumbai with his 69 not out to
guide the three-time champions to 162-5 after electing to bat first in the
Twenty20 tournament.
Paceman Jasprit Bumrah then returned figures of 2-31 from his four overs
and also restricted Hyderabad to just eight runs in the Super Over. He was
named man of the match.
The Kane Williamson-led Hyderabad could not play out their six deliveries
in the one-over eliminator after losing two wickets in four balls.
“We are rewarded for some real hard work we have put in throughout the
tournament. We played consistent cricket and have the results for it,” Mumbai
skipper Rohit Sharma said after the thrilling win.
“Bumrah has been brilliant for us. He keeps improving and he is hungry for
more.
“Quinny (Quinton) has been really good for us but we need help from the
other batters,” Sharma said of his wicket-keeper batsman who has amassed 462
runs in 13 games.
Hardik Pandya came in to bat along side Kieron Pollard for Mumbai in the
Super Over and hit leg-spinner Rashid Khan for a six on the first ball.
He then took a single and Pollard completed the win on the third delivery
as Mumbai joined table-toppers Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals for the
play-offs.
“A fantastic effort to get so close from Manish and the lower order. It was
a pretty good first half but we couldn’t get over the line,” said Williamson.
“Rashid is world class and we thought he was our man. When it gets down to
the last ball, it’s a shame. But there is a game left.”
Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab are
all in the race for the one remaining play-off spot.
The world’s most popular T20 tournament ends with the final in Hyderabad on
May 12.