Published: May 17, 2017, 02:40 PM (IST)
Edited: May 17, 2017, 02:39 PM (IST)
Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) marched their way to maiden IPL final, courtesy Washington Sundar, MS Dhoni, Ajinkya Rahane and Manoj Tiwary. RPS defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) for the third time in this season by 20 runs. If Dhoni’s sixes set the tone in the first innings, Sundar’s spin left MI helpless in the second. In the first over Sundar went for 8 runs. In the second he claimed two big wickets of Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu. He finished on a high, picking the Trinidadian Kieron Pollard as well later on. Steven Smith also played a helping hand, catching some blinders to get rid of Rayudu and Pollard. Full Cricket Scorecard: Mumbai Indians vs Rising Pune Supergiant, IPL 2017, Qualifier 1 at Mumbai
Smith turned into an iplT20 reporter and interviewed Sundar after the contest. Speaking on what Smith thought while giving the ball to Sundar, Smith exclaimed, “What an unbelievable performance by a young seventeen year old on the big stage. 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.”
Sundar could not contain his happiness, especially being adjudged Man of the Match for his figures of 3 for 16. He said, “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,” he added.
Sundar also credited Smith for 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.”
Sundar is hoping to carry his form in the final at Hyderabad, “Getting three big wickets on the big stage was no mean feat, and Smith hoped for a similar show come the grand finale. I am very proud to have big names in my pocked tonight. To have those three, especially in a game like qualifier one is a proud moment for me. It was a very heartening performance.”
