I backed Mitchell to defend it in the final over: Jasprit Bumrah

The 2017 edition of the IPL came to a fitting end with a thrilling final on the cards for the fans to witness. Mumbai Indians speedster Mitchell Johnson successfully defended 11 runs off the final overs to steer his team to a narrow 1-run win against the Rising Pune Supergiant. The odds were against the MI camp since the likes of Steve Smith and Manoj Tiwary were at the crease.

Also, the fact that Tiwary hit a four off the very first ball of the final over strengthened RPS’s claim on the finals. However, two wickets in the next two balls from Mitchell Johnson set up the tone for a remarkable win in the finals. Prior to that, in the penultimate over, Jasprit Bumrah had conceded 12 runs which included a six by Steve Smith. The pressure was high.

Bumrah, in a conversation with iplt20.com, noted that the team had faith in Mitchell Johnson. He lauded the efforts of Johnson in the final over. He called him a legend of the game and the way Johnson delivered at the crunch situation was worth a praise.

“In the second last over I gave a six and I was a little worried if we could still come back. But the way Mitchell Johnson bowled that last over was unbelievable. It is during situations like these that experience matters and it helped us,” quoted Bumrah.

“I backed Mitchell to defend it in the final over. He is a legend and you always back a legend to come good during such crunch times. He has so much of experience and has faced such situations before. I knew Mitch would get us home,” he added further.

The target of 129 was never going to be enough on the night of the big finals. But the Mumbai Indians did a fair job of defending the score. Bumrah reflected that the team fought till the end. Never did they lose hope out in the middle and that helped the team come out triumphs for the ultimate glory.

“We wanted to keep on fighting till the end, till the last over and the last ball was bowled. You always try to back yourself to come back into the game, come what may. We were always behind the eight ball from the start but we never gave up. The way the boys bowled was excellent. It was a brilliant game. We kept on fighting and that is the mark of a champion side. I am very happy,” he quipped.

Word from the Aussie legend

Mitchell Johnson was also very happy with his own performance. He cited that it was his first final and hence contributing to it in a major way was a brilliant feeling for him. “It is a brilliant feeling to be crowned champions. This was my first final and to contribute and end up on the winning side is always brilliant,” noted Johnson.