IPL 10: Match 16, Who Said What: Mumbai Indians v Gujarat Lions

In the sixteenth match of the IPL 2017, Mumbai Indians continued their winning streak while chasing as they defeated the Gujarat Lions by 6 wickets. Earlier in the day, Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to field first. Brendon McCullum and Suresh Raina tried to dominate proceedings after Gujarat lost the wicket of Dwayne Smith in the second ball of the match. The Kiwi starred in the Gujarat’s batting performance as he scored 64 off 44 deliveries by smashing six fours and three sixes. He was well supported by Dinesh Karthik down the order who scored quick-fire 48 off 26 deliveries at a strike rate of 184. A late flourish from Jason Roy helped the Lions reach a par score of 176.

Among the Mumbai bowlers, Mitchell McClenghan impressed the most with his two wickets, by giving away only 24 runs. Harbhajan and Krunal held the spin front of the Mumbai lineup by being miserly in their economies. Coming out to bat with an initial asking run-rate of 8.8, Mumbai suffered the loss of Parthiv Patel’s wicket in the second ball of the innings, muck like the Gujarat’s innings. Yet again, the emerging star for the Mumbai squad, Nitish Rana, stood up when his team needed him the most. Rana scored yet another half-century this season as he smashed 53 off 36 deliveries at a strike rate of almost 150. He found support in English wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler, who chipped in with a vital 26.

The finishing touch was provided by the hero of the last match against RCB, Kieron Pollard, and captain Rohit Sharma. With a strike rate of almost 170, Pollard scored 39 by striking two fours and three mammoth sixes. Mumbai will be relieved with their skipper scoring some essential runs. He scored a valuable 40 off 29 balls, as he finished off the game for his side. Nitish Rana was adjudged as the man of the match.

Rohit Sharma

Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma was the happiest man with the team’s consistency in all three departments. He was also impressed with the spinners Bhajji and Krunal for varying their pace. Rohit reckoned that there is more to come from Nitish Rana’s bat in this year’s IPL.

Good overall performance. It is something we’ve always spoken about – being consistent in all three departments. The batting has come good and so has the bowling in the last few games. The fielding is something which is in our hands and that has come good as well. It is never easy playing a 4 O’clock game and credit to the boys for putting their hands up. I have played a lot of cricket here at Wankhede and when we play a day game the ball stops and comes onto the bat. The spinners, Harbhajan and Krunal, kept varying the pace and kept the batsmen thinking. They stuck to their field placements as well and things like these always pay off. Nitish Rana is a great talent. We are going to see a lot more of him in the time to come. I told him that this is only the start of the tournament and there is a long way to go. He has been enjoying with the guys in the side. The team is pushing him to perform better and are very happy that he is taking the responsibility coming in at number three. I am happy to get some runs in the end. I did let myself down in the last few games but I have been in this position before as well and am happy to have come good in the tournament

Nitish Rana

Rana credited the domestic season he played a couple of years ago for the brilliant performances in this year’s IPL. He also wants to shift gears while batting to accelerate the scoreboard. He thanked the skipper Rohit and coach Mahela for showing confidence in him.

I think I am in a very good zone. I try to play normal cricket and given the kind of role I play, it is very important for me to have a compact game. This is my first EFA match and am glad I could contribute. The domestic season a couple of years ago was a big boost for me, it game me the confidence that I am good enough. If I want to continue this form it is very important for me to have different gears while batting. I am very clear about my game, I know what to do and what not to do. Thanks to Rohit and to Mahela for showing the confidence in me

Mumbai Indians will take on Kings XI Punjab in the 22nd game of Indian Premier League, 2017 at Holkar Stadium, Indore on 20th April.