IPL 2017: ‘It will be brilliant to beat Mumbai Indians in Mumbai’, says Jaydev Unadkat as RPS meet MI in Qualifier 1

IPL 2017: 'It will be brilliant to beat MI in Mumbai', says Unadkat as RPS meet MI in Qualifier 1

Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) locked horns with Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in match 55 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 for place in the playoffs. While many anticipated it to be a close affair, it turned out to be a one-sided contest with KXIP falling apart like nine pins. Opting to bowl, RPS restricted KXIP for 73 as Jaydev Unadkat and Shardul Thakur wreaked havoc of their line-up. Unadkat earned the Man of the Match award for his figures of 2 for 12 and stated that it was a team effort which helped them reach the last four. He also took a fine catch and effected Eoin Morgan’s run out. He also added that RPS will be prepared for Qualifier 1 versus Mumbai Indians (MI) and will be brilliant to knock them out in their own den. Full Cricket Scorecard: Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) vs Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), IPL 2017, Match 55 at Pune

After thrashing KXIP by 9 wickets, Unadkat stated, “It has been brilliant. We have been really good as a unit. The execution has been brilliant, does not happen often in a T20 game. If you see that has been there in the last 10-12 games, after we lost the first couple of games. We have been brilliant, and that has helped me. The seniors have been terrific, they have helped us a lot. Not just me, Shardul too bowled well today. You don’t underestimate the power of a modern-day fast bowler (on his catching). We have worked on our fitness and that has been helping during matches.”

On England and now RPS’ premier all-rounder, Ben Stokes, who will be leaving for national duty, the Unadkat concluded by saying, “Ben (Stokes) was an integral part, he is leaving tonight. That will be a big loss. But having said that we have won a game without him. The plan is to keep things simple. It will be brilliant to beat Mumbai in Mumbai.”