Published: May 17, 2017, 08:56 AM (IST)
Edited: May 17, 2017, 08:55 AM (IST)
Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) thrashed Mumbai Indians (MI) by 20 runs in Qualifier 1 and qualified for the final of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017. Mumbai Indians will now face the winner of Qualifier 2 in Eliminator at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday. Playing at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Rising Pune Supergiant posted 162 for 4, thanks to Ajinkya Rahane and Manoj Tiwary’s fifties on a slow track. In response, Mumbai Indians managed 142 for 9, stuttering against teenage off-spinner Washington Sundar who was awarded Man of the Match for his spectacular 3 for 16. He took the crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, and Kieron Pollard. Full Cricket Scorecard: Mumbai Indians vs Rising Pune Supergiant, IPL 2017, Qualifier 1 at Mumbai
“I think it is very heartening for me to do well against a big team on a good stage, in front of a packed crowd. Owe this to my Mom and Dad. I think keeping things simple makes me do things like this. Mahi bhai [Ms Dhoni] has been supportive. Right now, I am not looking to be experimental. I am just looking to go there and back myself. I think we could lift the trophy in the finals as well,” said Sundar after the match.
Playing in the absence of the injured Ravichandran Ashwin, Sundar has taken 8 wickets at 21.5 in 10 matches, maintaining an economy under 7. He will now play in the all-important final at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad, against the winner in Eliminator.
This will be Rising Pune Supergiant’s first IPL final: they had ended at penultimate position in the points table in the previous edition.
