IPL 10, Match 38, Mumbai Indians v Royal Challengers Bangalore - 5 Game Changing Moments

Rohit Sharma led the team from the front in the chase and took them home in the last over.

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Rohit Sharma of Mumbai Indians
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Rohit Sharma of Mumbai Indians in action. (Photo: IANS)

The Wankhede Stadium was full with buzzing fans who were out to enjoy an exciting contest on a holiday. On Maharashtra day the Mumbai Indians had the opportunity to seal a win and with that a spot in the playoffs. Batting first Royal Challenges Bangalore once again posted a mediocre 162/8 in 20 overs. AB de Villiers top scored with 43 while Mitchell McClenaghan gave MI three crucial wickets.

It was not a total that would challenge Mumbai’s batting but since not all of their batsmen have been at their best of late RCB did manage to find an early wicket but consistent partnerships between all the top and middle order batsmen helped them remain on course. Rohit Sharma was there to finish off the chase for MI and also got to his half century.

1. McClenaghan’s triple strikes

McClenaghan didn’t start the tournament at his best but has gradually been getting into his groove. Against the Royal Challengers bowling at the famed batting line-up, he first got the big wicket of Virat Kohli who was looking to get off batting on 20 from 14 balls. Later in his second spell, the job was to finish the inning with the momentum.

He got the two power hitters out in the last over first Pawan Negi perished in the deep handing Kieron Pollard a pretty simple catch at the boundary, on the very next ball Kedar Jadhav was out in the exact same manner. McClenaghan finished his spell with figures of 4-0-34-3.

2. Negi and Jadhav give finishing touches

After Virat and de Villiers were back in the dugout with just 102 runs on the board RCB fans wouldn’t have had high expectations considering the form the team has displayed in the league thus far. But two young Indian cricketers eager to make a mark were up for the task.

They played their shots and with a display of quality hitting took the team beyond the 150-run mark. Negi and Jadhav hit a total of 3 sixes and 3 fours, added 54 runs together pushed the total towards 165 to ensure their bowlers had something to bowl with.

3. Krunal Pandya had de Villiers yet again

The left-arm spinner is having a dream IPL yet again. He has dismissed key batsmen with his bowling and has given the team crucial runs towards the fag end of the inning. Pandya now has another record to be proud of. He has dismissed AB de Villiers 4 times on the four occasions RCB has played MI in the last couple of seasons.

Today de Villiers was just starting to look dangerous having scored 43 from 27, he decided to sweep Pandya and the ball lobbed in the air for the short fine leg fielder Jasprit Bumrah to complete a simple catch.

4. Rohit Sharma leads from the front

He was coming back from injury into the IPL and has one eye on the Champions Trophy where he will start the Indian innings. It took him 9 matches but the Hitman has finally arrived. He took his time, spent enough in the middle and then went after the RCB bowlers. Rohit stood there till the end to take his team home and he not only hit the winning runs but also got to his half century.

He was timing the ball really well and finding the gaps considering that the Wankhede ground always gives values for shots that was the approach he opted for having played most of his cricket here.

5. Mumbai Indians first team to qualify for the playoffs

Though not officially but with 16 points after 10 matches the Mumbai Indians have well and truly qualified for the playoffs. No other team has as many points and that certainly seals a spot for them; the fight here on will be for them to stay in the top two that gives them two opportunities to qualify for the final. MI has lost just 2 matches and those were against their Maharashtra mates RPS. The momentum they are carrying and the balance in the team MI definitely deserve to occupy the top spot in the points table.

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