IPL 10 Final MI vs RPS: Krunal lifts struggling Mumbai to 129/8

Hyderabad: A fearful Mumbai Indians (MI) looked under intense pressure right from the very beginning of the Indian Premier League season 10 (IPL 10) final against Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) as they were restricted to 129/8 at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium here on Sunday.

Krunal Pandya was the only batsman from MI who showed a lot of character in his gritty 47-run knock which came off 38 balls and was decorated with 3 fours and 2 sixes. He got out on the final delivery of the inning trying to pull a slower bouncer by Daniel Christian, only to mis-time it into the comfortable hands of Ajinkya Rahane.

RPS was fully charged throughout the inning as they were brilliant with the ball as well as on the field.

Parthiv Patel (4 off 6) was the first to depart trying to play a slower delivery by Jaydev Unadkat over the mid-on fielder. In the same over, Lendl Simmons, who has been failing to fire after getting his first chance this season, once again disappointed getting out in the very same over. He was dismissed at 3 with a brilliant caught and bowled by Unadkat.

With the openers back in the dug-out, there was huge responsibility on skipper Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu. They started off nicely and were looking to build a good partnership before RPS captain Steven Smith pulled out a tremendous throw from mid-off region to run out Rayudu (12 off 15, 1 four). They added 33 runs together for the 3^rd wicket.

Rohit Shamra was next to return at the individual score of 24 runs off 22 deliveries, with 4 boundaries (all came in a single over of Lockie Ferguson). After the departure of the skipper, all eyes were centered on Kieron Pollard who could not do much today getting out for 7 runs off 3 deliveries. He, however, smashed the first six of the IPL 10 final.

Also Read: IPL 10 Final MI vs RPS: Mumbai wins toss; Pune to bowl

Hardik Pandya, who has been in great touch throughout the season, looked uncomfortable in today's match. He could only add 10 runs off 9 balls with one six before being trapped in front of the stumps by Daniel Christian. Karun Sharma also fell prey to some brilliant work by Shradul Thakur who first bowled excellent delivery to get an outside edge of the batsman and after a tough chance got dropped, he ran through to the striker's end to run him out.

Mitchell Johnson, however, remained unbeaten at 13 off 14 deliveries, with one six. He also partnered the crease in a 50-run stand with Krunal Pandya for the eighth wicket.

Jaydev Unadkat was once again outstanding with the bowl as he bagged 2 wickets for 19 runs in his four overs, while Adam Zampa and Daniel Christian conceded 32 and 34 runs respectively for two wickets each in their spells.

Washington Sundar, though, did not take any wickets but bowled a super economical four-over spell giving away only 13 runs of it. Shradul Thakur bowled two overs for 7 runs while Ferguson gave 21 runs in his 2 overs.

RPS needs to chase down a below par target of 130 runs to lift their maiden IPL trophy.