Super Sunday was treated with two thrilling finishes, with both the matches going down to the wire. It was the Rajasthan Royals who held their nerves, in the end, to clinch a couple of crucial points over Mumbai Indians.
After the good work from the top order, the lower middle order could not quite capitalise on the start. Royals’ bowlers pulled it back for their teams with few wickets at the back end.
Here’s a look at the game-changing moments in the match,
Suryakumar-Kishan Partnership
After the early blow from Dhawal Kulkarni, Mumbai Indians lost their man in form, Evin Lewis up front.
However, Mumbai-lad Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan stitched a game-changing partnership which put the visitors in a commanding position.
The two batsmen added 129 runs in about 15 overs which gave the power hitter after them a perfect platform to express themselves.
Ishan Kishan, coming back after taking a blow to his eyes, scored a quick 58 while SK Yadav scored the standout knock in the match with his 47-ball 72.
Jofra Archer spell
Jofra Archer, the multi-million dollar man from the auctions, the BBL sensational, finally made his debut in the IPL and instantly stated why the whole fuss was about.
Archer’s final over had three wickets, one of which was a 150-kmph thunderbolt into the stumps.
The Barbados superstar picked up the big fish, Pandya Brothers at the death which cost Mumbai Indians twenty runs at least.
Mumbai losing momentum at the backend
From 130-1, at the 15-over stage, Mumbai went on to concede 38 in the last 36 balls with the loss of six wickets. It led to the visitors scoring at least 25 runs to the final tally.
The middle order of MI kept handing wickets to the Rajasthan Royals who made inroads into the match.
Pollard scored a peculiar knock where he made almost a run-a-ball 21. This gave Rajasthan Royals momentum, finishing off on a good note.
Visitors creeping into the match
After picking up a couple of early wickets, Ben Stokes and Sanju Samson looked to chase down the total with overs to spare.
Man in golden form Samson, piled on the runs to take the Orange Cap, with yet another half-century, while Stokes scored a quick 40.
However, Rohit Sharma‘s bowlers pulled it back in the second, as Rajasthan Royals kept on losing wickets in the middle order. It all looked far-fetched for the Royals with 43 required of the final three overs.
Krishnappa Gowtham playing innings of his life
The two high profile purchases made in the auctions justified their price tag, as they were responsible for taking their side towards victory.
If Archer did it with the ball, Gowtham did it with the bat, by playing the innings of his life.
With 43 required off the last three overs, Gowtham smashed a whopping 11-ball 33 to take his side across the finishing line. Rajasthan Royals went on to win by three wickets and two balls to spare in the end.