Mumbai Indians batsmen failed to show up when it mattered on their home ground on Tuesday as Rising Pune Supergiant proved a steady approach can win matches in the fast-paced Twenty20 format.
Pune advanced to the final with a convincing 20-run win over Mumbai in the first qualifier game of the Indian Premier League play-offs at the Wankhede Stadium after the hosts stuttered in their run chase of a 163-run target.
Only Parthiv Patel (52) showed some resolve to bat sensibly. He and Lendl Simmons had taken Mumbai to 35 for no loss when a laid-back Simmons failed to get back into his crease at the non-striker’s end in time and was run-out by bowler Shardul Thakur’s touch on the ball.
Rohit Sharma was then adjudged, unluckily, leg before and Kieron Pollard and Ambati Rayudu handed out easy catches to Pune captain Steve Smith at midwicket in quick succession. The three wickets to Washington Sundar effectively ended the game.
Rohit was equally critical of his teammates in the post-match interview. “I think 160 was below par. Probably the worst batting performance of the season for us. Shot selection is very important. You need to understand the situation and respect them.”
Earlier, Pune rode on fine half-centuries from Manoj Tiwary and Ajinkya Rahane to post 162-4 after being 9-2 at one stage.
With disciplined bowling from Mumbai, Pune were mostly in the shackles and it took some late hitting from Rahane and MS Dhoni (40) to take them to a decent total. Pune managed 41 runs from their last two overs.
Smith took joy in the fact that Pune proved to be Mumbai’s nemesis every time they met this season.
“It’s been good this year, three times we have beaten them now,” Smith said. “We executed our plans very well.”
Mumbai plays the winner of the Wednesday’s eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders for a shot in the final against Pune.
* The National staff with agency
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