Mumbai Indians storms into playoffs with Super Over win

Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya were the heroes for MI as it beat SRH to make it to the last four-stage of IPL 2019.

Jasprit Bumrah returned with two wickets for 31 runs, and a fantastic Super Over spell, to take MI through to the playoffs.

The Wankhede Stadium witnessed the first-ever Super Over as Mumbai Indians defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad to sail through to the Indian Premier League playoffs on Friday.

After the scores were levelled at 162, the fate of the contest had to be decided through a Super Over.

Batting first, SRH posted 8-2 in four balls, which was quite easily chased down by MI in just three balls, without losing a wicket.

SRH did not bat its full quota of six balls as it lost two of its batsmen; the upper limit in the tie-breaker.

While this win helped the three-time champion side storm into the playoffs, it is almost the end of road for SRH. With 12 points from 13 games, the Hyderabad outfit will now hope for a miracle to be the fourth team to enter the last-four stage.

Match highlights| MI vs SRH

SRH will be heartbroken as it failed to cross the line in the stipulated 20 overs, despite a gritty knock of 71 off 47 balls (4x8, 6x2) by Manish Pandey.

Manish Pandey in action against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

 

Chasing 162, SRH got off to a fine start with its new openers, Martin Guptill and Wriddhiman Saha, looking in aggressive mood. But things changed after the side lost a few wickets in quick succession.

There were hopes of a revival with the in-form Pandey at the crease. The Karnataka batsman, who has been quite successful in the middle-order this season, held his nerves to keep the side in the chase till the final over. After losing five wickets, Pandey stitched a crucial partnership of 49 runs with Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, who scored 31.

READ| Jasprit Bumrah raises his collar in the Super Over

With seven required off the last ball, Pandey hit a six to draw level. But in the end, it was not enough as SRH failed to crack the code in the Super Over.

MI must credit its bowlers — especially Jasprit Bumrah — who displayed a fine bowling performance (2/31) to keep his side in the game.

Earlier in the evening, the SRH bowlers, led by pacer Khaleel Ahmed (3-42), pegged MI back after Rohit Sharma decided to bat first. Khaleel was ably supported by Afghan spin duo of Rashid Khan (0-21) and Nabi (1-24).

Quinton De Kock hit an unbeaten 69 off 58 balls and waged a lone battle for MI. The southpaw, who hammered six boundaries and a couple of sixes, did not receive any support from the other end. A late six from Krunal Pandya — not out on 9 off three balls — helped MI cross the 160-run mark.

In the end, it didn’t matter as MI left the ground with a ticket to the last-four stage of the tournament.