Oh IPL! You continue to push the envelope when it comes to dishing out humdinger. RCB won it than nearly lost it and then eventually won it as the masterly knock by Ishan Kishan [99] and Kieron Pollard’s belligerence didn’t prove to be enough as the Virat Kohli-led unit trumped the defending champions MI, in the Super-Over.
Chasing 202 to win, Mumbai Indians needed another Rohit Sharma masterclass and the skipper started in the same manner as he had done against KKR, smashing two boundaries off Isuru Udana in the first over.
That's a big wicket as Rohit Sharma departs in the second over of the chase.
But Virat Kohli’s ploy of bowling Washington Sundar worked brilliantly as Sharma mistimed the attempted pull over mid-wicket, only to hole out in the deep. Udana came back brilliantly in his second over to send the dangerous SuryaKumar Yadav packing.
Washington Sundar bowled brilliantly in the powerplay as he gave away just seven runs in his 3 overs. Eventually, the pressure of pushing the run-rate got to Quinton de Kock as he mistimed the slog-sweep to give Yuzvendra Chahal his first wicket in his maiden over.
Excellent from Sundar, this was only tenth instance in IPL history a spinner has bowled three overs in the powerplay and not conceded a boundary. Three of the ten instances have been #RCB spinners – Badree (2017 v MI), Chahal (2019 v CSK), Sundar (Today)#IPL2020#RCBvMI
Sundar came back in the 10th over to complete his spell with yet another brilliant over as he maintained his line and length brilliantly to deny Hardik Pandya swing his arms. Sundar gave away just 10 runs in his 4 overs, playing a huge role in ensuring MI managed just 63 runs in their 10 overs.
Mumbai Indians needed a desperate kick on to their innings and Ishan Kishan did just that as he smashed Navdeep Saini for two sixes in the 11th over to take the run-rate to 7 for the first time in the run-chase. But their chances of nailing the run-chase was dealt with a body blow as Adam Zampa staged a comeback after having been hit for a six early in the innings to induce Hardik Pandya into a mistimed pull over mid-wicket, only to see Pawan Negi take another brilliant catch.
Ishan Kishan [Photo-Rtwitter]Ishan Kishan, however, continued to impress. The southpaw stroked some flamboyant sixes on the on-side, en-route to his 4th IPL fifty, and his highest score of his career in the lucrative league. But, with 90 runs requires off the last 30 balls, MI needed a consistent onslaught from both ends. Kishan took Saini for 10 runs in the next over but MI needed Kieron to do a Pollard.
Adam Zampa to Kieron Pollard [17th over] —
Ball 1: FOUR, straight down Ball 2: SIX, extra cover, dropped by Negi Ball 3: SIX, cow corner Ball 4: TWO, extra cover Ball 5: SIX, long-on Ball 6: THREE, third man
And, the swashbuckler did just that started the 17th over on a brilliant note, taking Adam Zampa for two sixes and a boundary in the first three balls. Pollard got a lucky reprieve on the 2nd delivery when Pawan Negi dropped the burly all-rounder at the long-off boundary and Zampa paid dearly for it, as he carted the leg-spinner for 27 runs to breath life into the run-chase.
Ishan Kishan and Kieron Pollard [Photo-Twitter]
Even Yuzvendra Chahal wasn’t spared as Pollard and Kishan took the vile spinner for three sixes in the next over as the West Indian bludgeoned a 20-ball half-century; his first in last 10 IPL innings. With 49 runs coming in the last two overs, the pressure was clearly on Navdeep Saini as he walked in to bowl the 19th over and it was testified when he bowled a wide on his very first delivery. Saini came back brilliantly in the next four balls as he consistently bowled in the blockhole and even though Ishan Kishan smashed a six on the 5th delivery, he ended up giving just 12 runs to leave 19 in the bank for the last six balls.
Ishan Kishan smashed two back-t0-back sixes off Isuru Udana before he was eventually dismissed for 99 on the very next delivery. But, Kieron Pollard ensured that the levels of excitement accentuate to another level as he pulled Udana fort a boundary to force the game towards another [yes another] super-over.
Navdeep Saini was absolutely outstanding in the Super-Over as he consistently bowled in the blockhole, ensuring that Pollard and Pandya could manage just 7 runs. It was slightly surprising to see that Mumbai did not send Ishan Kishan to bat in the Super-Over.
Jasprit Bumrah nearly got ABD on the third delivery but for De Villiers to successfully review the caught-behind call. Bumrah erred on the fourth delivery and AB proceeded to pull him for a six over fine-leg before Virat scored a boundary on the last ball to eventually seal the game.
Brilliant opening stand between Devdutt Padikkal and Aaron Finch; AB de Villiers masterclass and Shivam Dube’s cameo guided RCB to 3-201 against MI
Batting first, Devdutt Padikkal and Aaron Finch survived some close catching calls in the first few overs but the intent from the duo- especially from Finch- was pretty clear- ‘Smack it or go down swinging’
After coping a painful blow on his crown jewels, the Australian captain went hell for leather, smashing some disdainful strokes off Boult, Pattinson, and the leg-spinner Rahul Chahar. He was given a lucky reprieve though as Rohit Sharma dropped him for 9 at mid-wicket off Trent Boult.
Aaron Finch [Photo-Twitter]Finch took the attack to the leggie in his very first over as he smashed him for three consecutive boundaries to take his tally to 40 off 23 balls as RCB rocketed to 0-49 in 5 overs.
That's a FIFTY for @AaronFinch5 and it comes off 31 deliveries.
Devdutt Padikkal greeted Jasprit Bumrah with consecutive boundaries in his first over as RCB finished the powerplay on a high. Finch continued to attack the spinners and in the process brought up his 14th IPL fifty in the 8th over courtesy a slog sweep off Chahar.
The innings finally came to an end as the Australian white-ball skipper mistimed a lofted drive off Trent Boult to give Mumbai Indians a much-needed breakthrough.
We were all waiting for a Virat Kohli masterclass against the Mumbai Indians today but unfortunately, it turned out to be an anti-climax as the legendary cricketer endured a painstaking 11-ball 3, extending his lean run of form. It was quite an uncharacteristic knock from Virat. He looked uncharacteristically nervous in his footmark, a vivid reflection of a batsman searching for runs.
Rahul Chahar deserved the wicket as he had troubled Virat throughout the innings, eventually inducing thee legendary batsman into an ill-fated drive, only for Rohit Sharma to catch it at short cover.
Devdutt Padikkal then proceeded to up the ante as he smashed James Pattinson for back-to-back sixes to bring up his 2nd IPL fifty. AB de Villiers, on the other hand, looked in sublime form right from the outset, taking down the MI attack like only he can.
AB laid into Jasprit Bumrah in the 17th over. Bumrah attacked ABD with short-pitch deliveries but ‘Mr 360 was up for it, smashing the ace fast bowler for disdainful fulls over square-led and mid-wicket.
AB de Villiers [Photo-Twitter]
AB de Villiers took Bumrah for 17 runs in the next over and in the process registered his 2nd 50 of the tournament besides scaling the 4500-run barrier in his IPL career. His takedown of Bumrah and Shivam Dube’s annihilation of James Pattinson in the final over [3 sixes] meant, RCB eventually posted 3-201 in 20 overs, smashing 78 runs in the last 5 overs.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to RCB’s nail-biting Super-Over win over MI-
What is happening! 2nd Super over in a week! Unbelievable if you are watching soap operas pls stop, there is a prime time reality TV show happening every night at 7.30 IST its the @IPL! #RCBvsMI#MIvsRCB#IPL2020
This years @IPL has been incredible … Still without question the market leader for all T20 tournaments … So many games go down to the wire … !!! @cricbuzz
Pollard hasn't scored quicker in a calendar year compared to 2020. He hasn't had a better impact in year in T20s before 2020. Batting at his best in the format.#IPL2020#RCBvMI
Mumbai boy Dube doing some serious damage to the Mumbai Indians. Far too often, he loses shape while going for the big hits. Has timed them superbly today.
AB de Villiers has scored 13 fifties in his last 26 IPL innings… His last 3 innings against Mumbai Indians 55* (24) 75 (51) -> run out 70* (41) That's total 200 runs in 116 balls #RCBvMI
I don’t think @ABdeVilliers17 is worried about rust @bhogleharsha ; he is probably more concerned about being able to touch his toes tomorrow after this sublime cameo, and 20 overs of ‘keeping ? https://t.co/fLPYX8BaUO
Finch look determined, feeling confident & there is a sense of dedication in both Finch & Paddikal. Both Proving worth as Openers. Good to see, after mailing from KXIP, seems harsh words & strong talk took place from VK & Hesson. RCB need after this start atleast 185.#RCBvMI
