IPL 10: Qualifier 1, Who Said What: Mumbai Indians v Rising Pune Supergiant

Mumbai Indians faced their kryptonite in this season of the IPL, Rising Pune Supergiant, for the third time in the tournament in the first Qualifier of the IPL 2017 playoffs. As it turned out, Mumbai still does not have answers for the RPS attack as they suffered their third successive loss at their hands in the season.

The match was wonderfully poised for MI until the 18th over of the first innings. MS Dhoni and Manoj Tiwary smashed 41 runs in the last two overs to propel their score towards an improbable 162 on a slow pitch. In reply, Mumbai, unfortunately, lost the wickets of Lendl Simmons, Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu and Kieron Pollard in quick succession.

17-year-old Washington Sundar, broke the back of the much-hyped batting order with the help of his three wickets. In the end, Mumbai Indians fell short of the required target by 20 runs and Rising Pune Supergiant confirmed their place in the finals.

Washington Sundar

Man of the match, Washington Sundar was proud of the feat he achieved on the big stage. He said that he believed in keeping things simple and that worked wonders for him. He also acknowledged ‘Mahi Bhai’ for his support. Sundar was hopeful about lifting the trophy this season.

I think it’s very heartening for me to do well against a big team on a good stage, in front of a packed crowd. Owe this to my mom and dad. I think keeping things simple makes me do things like this. Mahi bhai has been supportive. Right now, I am not looking to be experimental. I am just looking to go there and back myself. I think we could lift the trophy in the finals as well.

Steve Smith

An ecstatic RPS skipper was glad about their record over the table toppers this year. He commended the efforts of Dhoni, Rahane and Tiwary with the bat which made the difference in the match.

Yeah, it’s been good this year. Three times we have beaten them this year. Big day and big players stand up. MS Dhoni was magnificent, Rahane was good at the start. We went with a batter light, so had to be bit conservative, 160 was a good total. Slower wicket, so was difficult to time the ball. Dhoni and Manoj did well. You need to peak at the right time in tournaments like this.

The Australian also lauded the efforts of his bowlers on the slow track. Young Sundar impressed him the most. The captain was also relieved to enjoy a break right before the all-important finals.

Proud of the boys, We bowled back of a length and tries to take the pace off the ball; that worked for us right throughout the tournament. There was dew but the wicket was still slow. Magnificent (talking about Washington Sundar). Big stage, Q!F of an IPL and to get whatever he got off his four overs is magnificent. Proud of his efforts. (Good to have) a bit of a break. Hopefully, we can be the better team on the final

Rohit Sharma

Losing captain Rohit Sharma believed that the target set was easily chasable. He termed their batting performance as the worst ever this season. Rohit stated that his team was not able to stitch partnership throughout their innings. The skipper concluded by saying that he was hopeful about coming back with a win in Bangalore.

I think 160 was below par to be honest, having seen the scores chased here. Probably the worst batting performance of this season for us. We didn’t have enough partnerships, it’s crucial to get small partnerships in. They bowled well to restrict us and to take wickets in the middle overs. Shot selection is very important. you need to understand the situation and the conditions and respect them. You’ve to pick the gaps and take it to the end and we didn’t do that. It’s not the end of the world, we still have one more shot in Bangalore.

Mumbai Indians would be ready to face the winner of the Eliminator tomorrow, at Bangalore, while Rising Pune Supergiant enjoys a break before the big IPL finals this Sunday.