Mumbai d. Rising Pune by 8 wickets
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Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma improved his reputation as a finisher much like his counterpart MS Dhoni when he led his side to an eight-wicket win over Rising Pune Supergiants on Sunday.
Rohit hit a 60-ball 85, his third half-century in IPL9, as Mumbai easily chased down Pune’s target of 160 with nine balls to spare. All three fifties of Rohit have come in a winning cause.
Parthiv Patel (21), Ambati Rayudu (22) and Jos Buttler (27 not out) only ended up as a support cast at the other end as Rohit single-handedly led the reply.
“I have not had a great time batting first,” Rohit conceded, “but when I am chasing, I plan my innings really well.”
Victory in that fashion was an anticlimax for Pune after they had started strongly.
Saurabh Tiwary (57) and Steve Smith (45) had scored fast before Jasprit Bumrah (three for 29) applied the brakes and Pune finished at 159 for five, much to the satisfaction of Rohit.
“It was a great effort from the bowlers, considering the way they started,” he told StarSports. “Coming back, and tightening up was important.” Mumbai jumped from fifth to second as a result of the win.
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