Not a single person watching the game and Mumbai Indians’ flourishing run chase would have anticipated the game going till the Super Over.
It was that sort of a game, as Gujarat Lions fought till the very end to put Mumbai Indians right on the very edge. After almost breezing through the run chase, thanks to a fluent knock from Parthiv Patel, the game seemed a mere formality.
However, some jaw-dropping direct hits in the outfield saw as many as three Mumbai Indians batsmen being sent to the hut. With two needed off the last two deliveries and one of the last, comeback man Irfan Pathan held his nerve to ensure that the game went till the super over.
Nevertheless, a gritty bowling display from Jasprit Bumrah saw the Mumbai Indians comfortably defending the target of 12. Post the loss, skipper Suresh Raina was proud of his side after the intensity shown out there.
“One of the most important games I’ve ever taken part,” Raina said. “A very exciting game for the crowd and every player. I think Bumrah bowled really well. Needing 12 off one over when he bowls yorkers and reverse-swings, we can’t do much. The Wicket was a bit slow. We tried to go really hard early and lost a couple of wickets up front,” said Raina.
“Bowlers bowled really well. We came back really strongly. Credit goes to Mumbai Indians. They played really well. Honestly, we were 30-40 runs short. Our bowlers came back strongly,” he added. “We did really well although we ended up on the losing end. It was a great game. Thanks to all the Gujaratis for their support and also to the Saurashtra Cricket Asociation.”
