The Wankhede Stadium witnesses one of the most action-packed games of all time.
Mumbai Indians booked their place in the Indian Premier League playoffs on Sunday evening by completing one of the most thrilling chases of all time.
The defending champions started their game against Rajasthan Royals knowing that they had to win big in order to replace the Jaipur side in fourth position.
A victory by 42 runs or with 33 balls to spare would see Mumbai through, but that looked unlikely when the Royals posted a commanding total of 189-4.
Lendl Simmons and Mike Hussey got Mumbai’s reply off to a fast start, contributing quick-fire knocks of 12 and 22 before getting out.
Kieron Pollard (7) and Rohit Sharma (16) also made brief cameos, but the unbeaten Corey Anderson anchored the chase with an explosive 95 off 45 balls.
Mumbai believed that they needed to complete the chase within 14.3 overs. And they almost did, but Ambati Rayudu (30) was run out trying to complete a second run that would have satisfied the equation.
After 14.3 overs, the scores were level. Rajasthan were jubilant. They would almost certainly lose the match, but they thought they were heading to the playoffs.
However, then came more news from the maths geeks: ‘Mumbai will edge above the Royals on net run-rate if they hit a boundary off the next ball.’
In walked Aditya Tare. The new batsmen had just one chance. Could he deliver? You bet!
James Faulkner bowled a full toss on leg stump and Tare launched it over square leg for six, spreading joyful disbelief around the Wankhede Stadium.
Mumbai, who finished on 195-5 with 32 balls remaining, will now play Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday.
The winner of that match will take on the loser of Tuesday’s game between Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders for a place in the final.
COMMENTS