Rising Pune Supergiant marched into their maiden Indian Premier League final courtesy of a comprehensive 20-run win over Mumbai Indians in the first qualifier on Tuesday (May 16) at Wankhede Stadium. And one of the chief architects of the win was 17-year old spinner Washington Sundar. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder, who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm off-spin, was signed as an injury replacement for Ravichandran Ashwin and has totally justified the faith shown in him by the franchise.
After being restricted to 162, the Supergiant needed a good start against the high-flying Mumbai Indians and Sundar rose to the occasion. Mumbai were comfortably placed at 41/1, when Sundar turned the match on its head by dismissing Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayadu in a space of four balls in the sixth over. He trapped Rohit plumb in front before Rayadu played a loose shot, hitting the ball straight to Steve Smith at short mid-wicket.
The teenager was not done yet and returned to get the big wicket of Kieron Pollard and leave them reeling at 51 for 4. He finished with figures of 3 for 16 in his four overs-his best figures in T20 cricket- as Pune went on to win the match comfortably in the end.
After the match, a delighted Supergiant skipper Steve Smith interviewed Sundar and lauded the bowler for his phenomenal performance.
“What an unbelievable performance by a young seventeen year old on the big stage,” Smith said.“I throw him the ball in the first six overs when the batsmen are going after him and he takes three. At times I feel what he looks to do there and what his plans are.”
In reply, Sundar expressed his delight over dismissing the key players of Mumbai on such a big occasion. He further thanked Smith for showing immense faith in him.
“It feels really good, especially to have taken key members of their side on such a big occasion in front of a packed crowd. I think Smith has been really supportive and I would like to thank him for it. Him giving me an opportunity to play ten games in my first edition for an off-spinner, I don’t think any other team would have been willing to do that. I would like to thank him a lot,” Sundar said.
Sundar has been given the responsibility to restrict the batsmen in the powerplay overs and so far he has done really well. He is now hoping to replicate his performance for one last time in Hyderabad where his team will play its first IPL final.
“I love the challenge of bowling in the powerplay having only two fielders out side the circle,” he said. “I have been believing in my strengths and hopefully I will be doing the same thing in Hyderabad and we will be able to lift the trophy together,” he said.
“I am very proud to have big names in my pocket tonight,” Sundar added. “To have those three, especially in a game like qualifier one is a proud moment for me. It was a very heartening performance.”
Out of the three wickets taken by Sundar, Smith had a part to play in two of those taking two good catches at mid-wicket to get rid of Rayudu and Pollard. Sundar heaped praise on his captain for those two game-changing catches.
“It was a really smart move by him. Usually, bowling in the first six overs, a lot of midwicket fielders will stand a little behind. But Smith was in there for a catch and couple of catches came his way. I would say, well taken skipper,” chuckled Sundar.
Smith concluded the interview by saying:“I am proud of Sundar and it was great watching him bowl so well. Hopefully, we can see one more big game in the final and lift that trophy.”