Advertisement

Mitch Johnson heroics seal IPL title

A superb final over and late first innings runs with the bat from Mitchell Johnson has helped Mumbai Indians to their third Indian Premier League title.

May 22, 2017, updated May 22, 2017
Mumbai Indians' Mitchell Johnson during the IPL final. Photo: Tsering Topgyal / AP

Mumbai Indians' Mitchell Johnson during the IPL final. Photo: Tsering Topgyal / AP

Johnson, bowling the final over, with Rising Pune Supergiant needing 11 runs to win claimed the wickets of Manoj Tiwary and then Australia skipper Steve Smith for 51 with consecutive balls before tying down Dan Christian.

Christian was then run out on the final ball of the innings as Pune ended their innings 6-128, chasing just 130, after Mumbai only made 8-129 in their innings.

Johnson delivered four quick overs to take 3-26, while fellow spearhead Lasith Malinga was economical in his four overs but wicketless with 0-21.

Johnson had earlier made a quick 13 not out off 14 balls at the end of the Mumbai innings, including one six.

Johnson felt the team had done the work for him to really deliver in his final over.

“Fortunately I could do the job but it was all set up by the previous overs. An outstanding performance all round,” Johnson said.

Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma said he was happy to let his bowlers simply do their job.

“When three overs were left, I had confidence in our bowlers to do the job,” Sharma said.

“It was about giving them freedom because they’re the masters and they’ve done it before, I told them to do whatever they want and set the field accordingly.”

Krunal Pandya’s 47 off 38 balls lifted Mumbai after they had collapsed to 7-79 in the 15th over.

Jaydev Unadkat (2-19) rattled the top order with two early wickets and then Australian legspinner Adam Zampa (2-32) got the prized wickets of captain Rohit Sharma (24) and Kieron Pollard (7), while Christian also chipped in with 2-34.

Still their total was not thought to be enough and not being able to chase down the runs left Smith exceedingly frustrated at the result.

“It is a hard one to swallow,” Smith said.

“130 was under par but they scrapped really well. We couldn’t get over the line in the end. We had some wickets in hand, we only needed one or two good overs. Their bowlers did a terrific job to restrict us.”

-AP

Local News Matters
Advertisement
Copyright © 2024 InDaily.
All rights reserved.