Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Mumbai Indians in a super over thriller here in Dubai. Fans witnessed two great games in two days, after a shocking win by Rajasthan Royals over Kings XI Punjab in High scoring contest. Mumbai Indians almost pulled similar results here in Dubai behind superb Batting performance by young Ishan Kishan and Pollard.
Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to chase, due to dew factor. But Royal Challengers Bangalore and AB DE Villiers had different idea, the South African Legend scored 55 runs in just 24 balls ( four 4’s and four 6’s) to help RCB put a 202 target for Mumbai Indians.
RCB Openers Padikkal and AJ Finch gave dream start for their team, both put on a 81 runs partnership in just 9 overs before Finch (52 runs in 35 balls) was dismissed by New Zealand ace Boult.
Virat Kohli struggles with bat continues as RCB captain scored just 3 runs in 11 balls but Indian Skipper redeemed him self with a winning run in Super over. Debutant Padikkal scored his second Half-century(54 runs in 40 ball) in three Matches before falling to Boult.
While chasing big target Mumbai Indians lost first three wickets early ,they were 3 for 39 in 6.4 overs before young Kishan and Hardik Pandya make an effort to keep Mumbai In the game. But Australian Leg spinner Zampa who replaced South African Speedster Dale Steyn removed Hardik Pandya for 15 runs in 13 balls.
Pollard and Kishan Partnership of 119 runs for 5th wicket set the match in Mumbai Indians favour, they needed 5 runs from last two balls to complete the spectacular comeback but Ishan Kishan big innings (99 runs from 58 ball , nine 6’s and two 4’s)come to an end for the penultimate ball, leaving Pollard to face final over the ball.
The West Indies Batsman pulled a slow bouncer to boundary to tie the game at 201 after 40 overs. RCB restricted Mumbai to just 6 runs in the super-over before Kohli an De Villiers finishes with boundary for the final ball of the super over.
Man of the Match
Kohli standing in for AB, who is too dehydrated to be out for the award: I wish I was AB de Villiers to be honest! I think he was coming off a long break. Some of the shots he played were outstanding. Good with the gloves as well. You speak with him and he keeps things simple. Doesn’t watch a lot of cricket, enjoys his life, enjoys his golf. Comes out here relaxed and backs his ability.
Rohit: It was a great game. We were not in the game at all when we started with the bat. Great innings by Ishan to get us back. Polly was brilliant as usual. Just that we didn’t start well, I thought we could have got 200 with the batting we have. With Polly being there, anything can happen, and Ishan can hit it. We had the belief that we could do it. They held their nerves although we put pressure. [Kishan] was drained out and he was not comfortable for the Super Over. He was not feeling fresh and Hardik is someone we trust hitting the long balls. It’s not coming off but we’re confident. Seven runs, you have to have luck on your side and get a wicket in the first two balls. And that unfortunate edge over fine leg made it two in two for them.
Virat Kohli:
“I don’t have words because it was such a rollercoaster. We batted really well to get past 200 and the start with the ball was outstanding as well. They played well in the middle overs, patiently, waiting for the dew to kick in. I hope we didn’t think we’d done the job [at 90 off 5 overs]. Fielding is something we have to keep working on. If we’d taken out chances again it wouldn’t have been so close. As I said, these little things we’re not capitalising on, we need to work on.
[Super Over] I thought about, Jasprit’s going to bowl and use the longer boundary. Thought about who are the best guys to come back for twos and it was me and AB. It was a good match with Jasprit being the best bowler they have. We felt he’s in the game, we’re in the game, and that’s what the people love. But not for the captains involved. We’ll take lessons and close the games better in the future. I think the changes that we made, making Washy bowl in the powerplay paid off. I think Isuru did well as well.
Gurkeerat didn’t get a bat but we had the balance right. Zampa did well too other than that last over. Outstanding super over from Saini aganst Hardik and Pollard. I think the long boundary gave him confidence. [2 in 3] A bit different from the past, isn’t it?! Need to plug in those gaps in those performances and keep accumulating those points.
