IPL 10, Final, MI v RPS – Mumbai Indians Player Ratings

Mumbai Indians won the third IPL title in their 10th season of the IPL as they emerged victorious against RPS in a heart-stopping final held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. In the end, Mumbai grabbed the game out of the pockets of RPS to win by a solitary run.

Chasing in big finals can be very tough but RPS did a good job in restricting Mumbai to 129 for 8 in 20 overs. RPS set a good platform by batting sensibly in the first half of the innings. With 65 needed to win in 9 overs and 9 wickets still left in the tank, RPS looked good to lift their first IPL title. But Mumbai Indians’ bowlers bowled exceptionally well to strangle the RPS batsmen to take the game right down to the wire. In the end, Mitchell Johnson delivered a great last over to take his side home in a close game that was worthy of a final.

Steven Smith fought hard but fell in the final over for a gutsy innings of 51. Mumbai might have lost three games during the course of the tournament against RPS but had the courage of turning the record around when it mattered the most. All in all, Mumbai played exceptionally well as a team throughout the season and were deservingly crowned champions.

We bring you to the player ratings of the victorious Mumbai Indians side:

1) Parthiv Patel – 6/10

While Patel failed with the bat, he was outstanding behind the stumps. He is always chirping away and motivates his fellow teammates. He took an important catch of MS Dhoni and inflicted the final run-out which gave Mumbai their third IPL title.

2) Lendl Simmons – 2/10

Simmons failed on the big night as he was out courtesy a magnificent caught and bowled by Jaydev Unadkat. The fast bowler rolled his fingers over the ball to take the pace off the ball and Simmons was too early on the ball as he checked his shot the last moment. Unadkat grabbed the return catch one-handed diving to his left.

3) Ambati Rayudu – 5/10

Rayudu was unlucky to be run-out for 12 just when he started looking comfortable with the pace of the wicket. He was involved in a 33-run 3rd wicket stand with his skipper Rohit but his innings was cut short by the brilliance of Steve Smith at mid-off. His catch in the last over of Smith turned the game in favour of his team. That ball was travelling and Rayudu did well to hang on to it.

4) Rohit Sharma – 7/10

In hindsight, Rohit’s knock of 24 was handy in Mumbai’s total of 129. He was batting confidently till he was holed out in the deep. He marshalled his troops brilliantly and rung in the right changes at crucial junctures of the game. Rohit’s never-say-never attitude gave the belief to his team to come up triumphs in the finals.

5) Krunal Pandya – 9.5/10

Pandya senior had a great outing in the biggest game of his life. Playing in his first final ever, Krunal played like a true professional by utilising the full quota of their overs. He added valuable runs in the company of Mitchell Johnson to give his team a glimmer of hope.

He came out to bowl with the new ball and bowled tightly until Smith hit him for a switch-hit six in his last over. Pandya returned with 0/31 but he bowled better than what his figures suggest. His fielding at the boundary line was equally fantastic.

6) Kieron Pollard – 4/10

Pollard came out to the centre with intent in his eyes. He struck the first ball he faced for a six off the bowling of Zampa. The West Indian wanted to repeat the hit two balls later but was snapped by Manoj Tiwary, who was made to stand very straight at long off by MS Dhoni. Pollard took two crucial catches at the long-on boundary, displaying his terrific fielding skills in the outfield.

7) Hardik Pandya – 4/10

Pandya looked dangerous when he struck a six off Zampa but was soon walking back to the pavilion when he was adjudged leg-before the wicket off Christian. Usually a reliable bowler, Pandya was not asked to ball by Rohit in this game but he fielded exceptional well at the boundary line during tense moments.

8) Karn Sharma – 7/10

Sharma was again picked ahead of Harbhajan Singh for the all-important final and was equal to the task on the big night. He bowled exceptionally tight lines in the middle overs and was tough to hit for runs. Even the likes of Smith and Dhoni could not get him off the square as the leg-spinner ended the tournament with figures of 0/18 in four overs.

9) Mitchell Johnson – 9/10

Playing in just his fifth game this year, Johnson was up to the task and bowled well with the new ball. His contribution with the bat was important as he added 50 runs with Krunal Pandya out of which he scored 13. Johnson was given the responsibility to bowl the final over and must have felt the heat after being smacked for a four first ball. With 7 needed to win from 5 balls, the left-arm fast bowler held his nerve to concede just 5 runs to win the game for his side.

10) Jasprit Bumrah – 8.5/10

Bumrah has bowled exceedingly well in the entire tournament and again did the job for his side in the finals. His third over, which was No. 17 in the game, shifted the momentum towards Mumbai as he conceded just 3 runs and got the all-important wicket of MS Dhoni. He tailed the ball in as he got the ball to reverse during the end overs. His figures of 2/26 were exceptional on the big night.

11) Lasith Malinga – 8/10

Malinga might have had an offseason this year but big games inspire big players to perform well for their side. Malinga rose to the occasion and rolled back the years to deliver immaculate yorkers to back up to the good work done by the other bowlers. Malinga’s figures of 0/21 were brilliant and he was instrumental in getting Mumbai a third IPL title.