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| Photo: BCCI & IPL |
Match Summary:
Mumbai Indians Innings: MI struggled initially and posted a modest total of 129 for 8, thanks largely to Krunal Pandya's crucial 47 off 38 balls. Jaydev Unadkat, Adam Zampa, and Dan Christian were the key bowlers for RPS, each contributing significantly to restrict MI's score.
Rising Pune Supergiant Innings: Chasing 130, RPS fell agonizingly short, finishing at 128 for 6. Despite Ajinkya Rahane’s 44 and Steven Smith’s 51, RPS couldn't manage to cross the finish line, with Mitchell Johnson and Jasprit Bumrah playing pivotal roles in MI's defense.
Key Moments:
Mumbai Indians’ Struggle: MI's innings never really took off. Openers Parthiv Patel and Lendl Simmons were dismissed early by Jaydev Unadkat. Rohit Sharma's brief cameo ended at 24, and wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals. Krunal Pandya's fighting knock provided some respectability to the total.
Krunal Pandya's Rescue Act: Krunal held the innings together with a vital 47 off 38 balls. His late-order hitting, including a crucial last over where he scored 14 runs, ensured MI had something to defend.
Pune's Cautious Approach: RPS adopted a conservative strategy, focusing on preserving wickets rather than aggressive scoring. This approach led to a slow but steady accumulation of runs, keeping them in the game but also increasing the required run rate.
Turning Point: The match swung in MI's favor when Jasprit Bumrah dismissed MS Dhoni in the 17th over. Bumrah and Lasith Malinga’s death bowling was exceptional, keeping RPS’s power hitters in check.
Final Over Drama: Needing 11 runs off the last over bowled by Mitchell Johnson, RPS came close but fell short. Despite a boundary off the first ball by Manoj Tiwary, Johnson's clever bowling and a brilliant fielding effort by J Suchith ensured MI's narrow victory.
Top Performers:
Mumbai Indians:
- Krunal Pandya: His crucial 47 runs were instrumental in MI reaching a defendable total.
- Mitchell Johnson: His 3 for 26, including two wickets in the final over, sealed the win for MI.
- Jasprit Bumrah: His 2 for 26, including the crucial wicket of Dhoni, was vital in the context of the game.
Rising Pune Supergiant:
- Steven Smith: His 51 off 50 balls kept RPS in the hunt till the end.
- Jaydev Unadkat: His economical bowling (2 for 19) put pressure on MI early in their innings.
- Adam Zampa and Dan Christian: Both picked up two wickets each, ensuring MI couldn't break free.
Brief Scores:
- MI: 129/8 in 20 overs (Krunal Pandya 47, Jaydev Unadkat 2/19, Adam Zampa 2/32, Dan Christian 2/34)
- RPS: 128/6 in 20 overs (Steven Smith 51, Ajinkya Rahane 44, Mitchell Johnson 3/26, Jasprit Bumrah 2/26)
Match Analysis:
Mumbai Indians’ Strategy: MI’s decision to bat first seemed questionable initially, given their season record favoring chases. However, the decision paid off due to their disciplined bowling and clutch fielding, particularly in the final overs.
Rising Pune Supergiant’s Approach: RPS’s conservative approach while chasing a modest total appeared to be a sound strategy, but it ultimately backfired as they couldn’t accelerate effectively in the end.
Conclusion:
Mumbai Indians’ thrilling one-run victory in the 2017 IPL final showcased their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. Krunal Pandya’s all-round performance, combined with disciplined death bowling by Johnson and Bumrah, highlighted MI's strength in crucial moments. This win marked Mumbai Indians’ third IPL title, cementing their status as one of the most successful franchises in IPL history.
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