It's chase time fellas! The customary huddle from PUNE as MUM openers walk out. Thisara Perera will get us under way. One slip in place. Here we go...
"I try to keep calm whenever things go worse. That's our strategy and glad that we have managed to pull things back. There is bounce on the wicket. You have to bring out a few variations and yorkers as well. I think we can chase this total," chirps a confident-looking Bumrah.
Scores are not always indicative of impact. Sometimes even a cameo turns out to be a match-winning effort. While on days, 50s hurt your cause more than anything else. This is exactly what happened today with Pune. Saurabh Tiwary started fiercely but lost the momentum as the innings progressed. In the end, it became so dull from Pune's perspective that the hosts wanted him to get out more than Mumbai. Tiwary's inability to clear the fence rubbed to Dhoni as well, who struggled to get going against back of a length deliveries. Pune have finished at least 20 short of what once was easily achievable. The credit must go to Mumbai bowlers too, who stuck to different plans to different batsmen and kept things under control. Stay tuned for the chase.
19.6 -
Bumrah to T Perera, SIX, a one-handed six over mid-wicket. Slower shortish delivery that refuses to rise, Perera walks across swiftly and clobbers the pull - Yanks his bottom hand while doing so. But it had enough power behind to go for a maximum
19.5 -
Bumrah to R Bhatia, 1 run, another full one and Bhatia's limited power meant a single to long-off
19.4 -
Bumrah to R Bhatia, 2 runs, full outside off, larruped to long-on
19.3 -
Bumrah to T Perera, leg byes, 1 run, leg-cutter on the stumps, Perera is early on the heave, off the arm guard and into the leg-side
Rajat Bhatia, right handed bat, comes to the crease
19.2 -
Bumrah to Dhoni, out Caught by Rayudu!! PUNE are falling apart. The slower short delivery on middle, Dhoni swivels and pulls, hits it straight to Rayudu at deep mid-wicket who tumbles after taking the catch. Dhoni c Rayudu b Bumrah 24(24) [4s-2]
Bumrah to Dhoni, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
19.1 -
Bumrah to T Perera, 1 run, Perera stays deep inside the crease, sets off for a big hit. Bumrah gets the yorker right, squeezed down to long-on
18.6 -
McClenaghan to T Perera, 1 run, full and wide and Perera has been to struggling to fetch all day, toe-ends an attempted drive towards cover
18.5 -
McClenaghan to Dhoni, 1 run, tad short and angled in, Dhoni mistimes the pull to deep mid-wicket
18.4 -
McClenaghan to T Perera, 1 run, full and in the channel, Perera powers it through the covers
18.3 -
McClenaghan to T Perera, 2 runs, slower short delivery around off, Perera pulls and feeds a top-edge which lands safely around the deep mid-wicket area. Some tag-team effort from Bhajji and Rayudu - Read that again...
18.3 -
McClenaghan to T Perera, wide, drifting further wide this time, Perera lets it pass
18.2 -
McClenaghan to T Perera, no run, slower full delivery just around the wide tramline, Perera swings and misses
18.1 -
McClenaghan to T Perera, no run, walks to Colombo and realizes that isn't the place to be now (Pun intended). Shuffles way too early and fails to fetch a full ball. McClenaghan cleverly followed him and sprayed just across his swinging blade
Mitchell McClenaghan [3.0-0-21-1] is back into the attack
17.6 -
Bumrah to T Perera, 1 run, caps off the over with an excellent slower delivery. Bowled at 112ks just outside off, Perera was forced into a false stroke. Just about manages to push one meekly into the off-side
17.5 -
Bumrah to Dhoni, 1 run, sits up outside off from a length, punchily driven to deep cover
17.4 -
Bumrah to Dhoni, 2 runs, angled into the pads, Dhoni tucks behind square and gets back for the second
Thisara Perera, left handed bat, comes to the crease
17.3 -
Bumrah to S Tiwary, out Caught by Hardik Pandya!! Not again! Tiwary runs out of luck. Yet again, goes for the wild slog against this fullish delivery and holes out to deep mid-wicket. Simple catch for Pandya. S Tiwary c Hardik Pandya b Bumrah 57(45) [4s-4 6s-2]
Bumrah to S Tiwary, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
17.2 -
Bumrah to S Tiwary, 2 runs, in the air and safe! Tiwary mistimes a heave high into the air but it fell well in front of an onrushing long-on. Mid-wicket would have gobbled that up
17.1 -
Bumrah to Dhoni, 1 run, this is terrific stuff from MUM. Offering no room whatsoever. Back of a length just outside off, Dhoni dabs awkwardly to the off-side and sets off
Jasprit Bumrah [2.0-0-12-1] is back into the attack
16.6 -
Southee to S Tiwary, 2 runs, another mistimed stroke from Tiwary. Full toss outside off, he slaps with a flat-bat but is only getting a duo of runs as the ball trickles to long-off
16.5 -
Southee to S Tiwary, no run, offering no room and Tiwary is forced to flip one back to the bowler
16.4 -
Southee to Dhoni, 1 run, Dhoni might have hurt his ankle while attempting those quick runs, but he is fit as a bull. Works one off his pads and disappears to the other end in no-time...
16.3 -
Southee to Dhoni, 2 runs, down leg again, Dhoni glances but this time fine leg swoops and restricts it to a double
16.2 -
Southee to Dhoni, 2 runs, watchout Tiwary! When Dhoni is at the other end, you better prepare to sprint... Insane from MS, clips through mid-wicket and runs.....
16.1 -
Southee to Dhoni, FOUR, that's screaming to be smashed! Short, down leg, fine leg up inside the ring. Dhoni just helps it away with a swivel and twirl of the wrists
Tim Southee [3.0-0-24-0] is back into the attack
Southee from over the wicket
15.6 -
Hardik Pandya to Dhoni, 1 run, and again! No timing whatsoever. Dhoni seeks to lift one over the bowler, skews it off the bottom half past a leaping Pandya - who half-stops and denies Dhoni a double
15.5 -
Hardik Pandya to S Tiwary, 1 run, taking the pace of the ball is Hardik Pandya. Tiwary stays put and drags the pull to deep mid-wicket. Oh! Where's that thing called TIMUMNG in cricket?
15.5 -
Hardik Pandya to S Tiwary, wide, overcompensates and hurls this full one well wide of off, Tiwary threatens to throw the kitchen sink but aborts
15.4 -
Hardik Pandya to Dhoni, 1 run, slants this in around middle, Dhoni swipes through mid-wicket and scampers...
15.3 -
Hardik Pandya to Dhoni, no run, another pacy length delivery that skids off the surface, Dhoni swings and misses
15.2 -
Hardik Pandya to Dhoni, no run, mild appeal for caught behind but the umpire doesn't flinch. Good length ball that zipped off the surface and cut MS into half, missed the cut shot by a whisker
15.1 -
Hardik Pandya to Dhoni, no run, full at 129ks on off, Dhoni brings that bottom hand into play, thrashed powerfully but straight to mid-off. He isn't happpy with the willow, signals for a new-one and he gets one
Hardik Pandya [1.0-0-10-0] is back into the attack
5 overs remaining. How much can PUNE get? I reckon they might end up somewhere around 160-170...
14.6 -
Harbhajan to S Tiwary, 2 runs, saunters down the pitch and takes it on the full, not much power on this stroke. Pollard does well to run and slide at long-off, saving a couple of runs
14.5 -
Harbhajan to Dhoni, 1 run, gets a big stride forward and extends his arms on the drive, a single to long-off
14.4 -
Harbhajan to S Tiwary, 1 run, asks him to fetch from outside off and Tiwary obliges as he drives this through cover and acknowledges his fifty
14.3 -
Harbhajan to S Tiwary, no run, slows it up outside off, Tiwary chops it back to the keeper
14.2 -
Harbhajan to Dhoni, 1 run, pitched short and flat, Dhoni camps back and miscues the pull to long-on
14.2 -
Harbhajan to Dhoni, wide, gets his radar wrong this time, down leg and Dhoni delays the glance
14.1 -
Harbhajan to S Tiwary, 1 run, fired full at the stumps, Tiwary dinks towards deepish mid-on
13.6 -
McClenaghan to Dhoni, no run, the off-cutter which dupes MS, he is stuck on the back foot and just manages a gentle tickle into the leg-side. Not a bad over, ain't it?
13.5 -
McClenaghan to S Tiwary, 1 run, 134ks dug in short, Tiwary is all brawn on the pull, splices it past MS and sneaks in a quick single
13.4 -
McClenaghan to S Tiwary, no run, straight stuff from McClenaghan! Good length on the stumps, Tiwary had no other options but to block it back
13.3 -
McClenaghan to Dhoni, 1 run, pulls his length back and angles it in, Dhoni taps to point and jogs for an easy single
13.2 -
McClenaghan to Dhoni, no run, length just outside off, Dhoni drops it onto the off-side with soft hands
13.1 -
McClenaghan to Dhoni, FOUR, and MS is MS! Trademark Dhoni shot. Just stand and whip those muscly arms...Full and in the slot, Dhoni biffs it down the ground for a one-bounce four
Mitchell McClenaghan [2.0-0-15-1] is back into the attack
Time for the strategic break. Mitch-Purple-cap-McClenaghan is back...He is bowling from round the wicket
12.6 -
Harbhajan to Dhoni, 1 run, Harbhajan drops this one a tad too short, MS arrests his front-foot stride and punches it towards long-off, off the mark with a single
12.5 -
Harbhajan to Dhoni, no run, flatter and on the pads, turned towards square leg
12.4 -
Harbhajan to Dhoni, no run, Harbhajan gives this one more air, Dhoni gets well forward and drives it towards cover
12.3 -
Harbhajan to Dhoni, no run, pushed through on off, defended back towards the bowler
12.2 -
Harbhajan to S Tiwary, 1 run, flatter and on Tiwary's pads, clipped behind square on the on-side for a single
MS Dhoni, right handed bat, comes to the crease
12.1 -
Harbhajan to Handscomb, out Caught by Buttler!! Handscomb's misery is over and he finds Buttler once again, not at point, but at backward square leg. This was tossed up outside off, Handscomb went for the sweep, couldn't roll his wrists around it. As a result, the top-edge was found, it went high and straight to Buttler - standing just in front of the ropes. Handscomb c Buttler b Harbhajan 6(12)
Harbhajan to Handscomb, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
11.6 -
Southee to Handscomb, 1 run, full and on the stumps, Handscomb uses the bottom hand to good effect and whips it towards mid-on
11.5 -
Southee to Handscomb, no run, width on offer from Southee, Handscomb just can't get his cut past Buttler at point
11.4 -
Southee to S Tiwary, 1 run, banged in short and on the stumps, Tiwary swivels across, rolls his wrists and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single
11.3 -
Southee to S Tiwary, no run, Southee slips in the yorker on off, Tiwary watches it all along and jams it towards the off-side
11.2 -
Southee to Handscomb, 1 run, short of a length and just outside off, Handscomb slaps it towards backward point. Buttler was early into the slide, it wasn't necessary at all, gets a bad bounce and ends up conceding a single
11.1 -
Southee to Handscomb, no run, on a good length and just outside off, Handscomb takes a step down the track and nudges it towards mid-on
Tim Southee [2.0-0-21-0] is back into the attack
10.6 -
Harbhajan to Handscomb, 1 run, slower and just outside off, eased down towards long-off for a single
10.5 -
Harbhajan to S Tiwary, 1 run, tossed up slower and wider outside off, Tiwary went for the hoick and gets an inside edge towards short fine
10.4 -
Harbhajan to S Tiwary, FOUR, Rayudu ends up conceding a boundary and Harbhajan is livid, just for a moment though. He calms himself, walks across towards the fielder and hugs him. Mumbai will lose some points for sure, this was pushed through outside off, Tiwary went across and clubbed it wide of long-on. Rayudu came across from deep mid-qwicket, McClenaghan went across from long-on, Rayudu got there first, put in the slide and ended up palming it over the onrushing McClenaghan the ball rolls onto the ropes
10.3 -
Harbhajan to Handscomb, 1 run, Handscomb drifts one outside off, Handscomb came down the track, closed the face of the bat and gets a slight leading edge towards long-off
10.2 -
Harbhajan to S Tiwary, 1 run, Harbhajan shortened the length and went wider outside off as Tiwary threatened to run down the track, cracked to deep cover for a single
10.1 -
Harbhajan to Handscomb, 1 run, Harbhajan tosses one outside off, Handscomb comes down the track and drives it towards long-off, just a single
9.6 -
Bumrah to Handscomb, 1 run, Handscomb finally beats Buttler, but it's just a single, short and wide outside off, cracked off the back foot and to the right of backward point
9.5 -
Bumrah to Handscomb, no run, Handscomb can't get it past Buttler at the moment, he got on top of the bounce and laced the cut to the left of backward point, a simpler stop this time around
9.4 -
Bumrah to Handscomb, no run, Buttler has saved a certain boundary here, width on offer from Bumrah, Handscomb cracked it to the left of backward point. Buttler tumbles and makes a clean stop
9.3 -
Bumrah to Handscomb, no run, short of a length and holding its line outside off, Handscomb was looking to cut and missed
Peter Handscomb, right handed bat, comes to the crease
A slip in for Handscomb
9.2 -
Bumrah to Smith, out Caught by Parthiv Patel!! Edged and caught! That's a big wicket for Mumbai, the dangerous Smith has fallen. This was short and just outside off, Smith was looking to run it down towards third man, went off the face of the bat and finer than he wanted. Parthiv dives across to his right, went with both hands and holds on. Relief for Rohit, the Pune crowd has been silenced. Smith c Parthiv Patel b Bumrah 45(23) [4s-4 6s-3]
Bumrah to Smith, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
9.1 -
Bumrah to S Tiwary, 1 run, Bumrah follows Tiwary as he came down the track, chipped back past the bowler for a single
Jasprit Bumrah [1.0-0-10-0] is back into the attack
8.6 -
Harbhajan to S Tiwary, 1 run, short and wide outside off, bowled with a flatter trajectory, Tiwary chops it wide of cover for a run
8.5 -
Harbhajan to Smith, 1 run, slower and just outside off, Smith takes a step forward and eases it towards long-on
8.4 -
Harbhajan to S Tiwary, 1 run, Harbhajan drops one short and just outside off, Tiwary went hard on the cut, ends up mistiming it wide of cover for a run
8.4 -
Harbhajan to S Tiwary, wide, Harbhajan drifts one wider outside off, called as a wide
8.3 -
Harbhajan to Smith, 1 run, pushed through on off, Smith goes back and works it in front of square on the on-side, just a single
8.2 -
Harbhajan to S Tiwary, 1 run, Harbhajan tosses one on off, Tiwary came down the track, almost yorked himself in the process, manages to ease it down towards long-on, just a single
Harbhajan, from round the wicket
8.1 -
Harbhajan to Smith, 1 run, tossed up and just outside off, Smith lunges forward and works it towards long-off for a single
Harbhajan Singh, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
7.6 -
Hardik Pandya to S Tiwary, no run, short of a good length and just outside off, Tiwary carves it straight to the fielder at backward point
7.5 -
Hardik Pandya to Smith, 1 run, on a good length and just outside off, Smith leaned back on the chop, gets it to the left of backward point where a Krunal dive saves a certain boundary, he is patted on his back by Rohit, Mumbai need a mood lifter
7.4 -
Hardik Pandya to S Tiwary, 1 run, short of a good length and well outside off, slashed away in front of square on the off-side, just a single
7.3 -
Hardik Pandya to Smith, 1 run, Pandya goes wider outside off as Smith came down the track, he reaches out and slaps it to deep cover for a run
7.2 -
Hardik Pandya to Smith, no run, short of a good length and just outside off, dabbed in front of point, he wanted a run but is sent back
Rohit has a word with his bowler, Mumbai are unravelling here and quickly as well..
7.1 -
Hardik Pandya to Smith, SIX, Pune are dealing in sixes tonight, too short from Pandya, he doesn't have the pace to trouble Smith. He swivels across and deposits it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum
7.1 -
Hardik Pandya to Smith, wide, Pandya slips his first ball well down the leg-side, called as a wide
Hardik Pandya, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
6.6 -
Krunal Pandya to S Tiwary, FOUR, ugly but effective, tossed up just outside off, Tiwary went down as he swiped at it ungainly, gets it into the gap past square leg. Harbhajan has a long way to get across, puts in the slide but can't haul it back in
6.5 -
Krunal Pandya to S Tiwary, SIX, this is easy pickings for Tiwary, full toss on off, he didn't get anywhere near the middle of the bat. The fielder at deep mid-wicket was a fair way inside the ropes, he runs back, but the ball has enough to clear him, hits the ad boards outside the ropes on the full
6.4 -
Krunal Pandya to S Tiwary, no run, pushed through flatter and on Tiwary's pads, he was looking to flick and missed, Smith wanted a run but is sent back
6.3 -
Krunal Pandya to S Tiwary, 2 runs, low full toss on off, drilled wide of long-on, Pollard puts in the dive and saves a couple of runs
6.2 -
Krunal Pandya to S Tiwary, SIX, lovely shot, this was tossed up well outside off, Tiwary went down on his knees and slouts it high and over mid-wicket for a maximum
6.2 -
Krunal Pandya to S Tiwary, wide, Pandya fires one flatter and wider outside off, a tad too wide though, called by the umpire
6.1 -
Krunal Pandya to Smith, 1 run, Pandya drops one short and well outside off, Smith taps it square on the off-side for a single
Time for the strategic break
5.6 -
Bumrah to S Tiwary, no run, good change of pace from Bumrah, he rolled his fingers across this slower ball, Tiwary spots it early and pushes it back towards the bowler
5.5 -
Bumrah to S Tiwary, FOUR, Bumrah misses his length, ends up offering a length ball on the stumps, clubbed to the right of mid-on for a boundary
5.4 -
Bumrah to S Tiwary, no run, yorker length delivery and on the stumps, Tiwary watches it all along and jams it towards the on-side
5.3 -
Bumrah to S Tiwary, 2 runs, McClenaghan almost pulled off a blinder, but the ball was always going away from him, Tiwary didn't get enough power on the clout, went high and to the left of mid-on. McClenaghan ran across to his left, put in the dive, but the ball was always wide of him
5.2 -
Bumrah to S Tiwary, no run, Bumrah follows Tiwary as he backed away with a slower ball, eased straight to the fielder at cover
5.1 -
Bumrah to S Tiwary, FOUR, that's some way of welcoming the new bowler, length delivery on off, Tiwary gets forward, clears his left leg and thumps it back over Bumrah's head, no need to run for those
Jasprit Bumrah, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
4.6 -
Krunal Pandya to Smith, no run, Pandya pushes through one on Smith's pads, tucked towards mid-on
4.5 -
Krunal Pandya to Smith, SIX, Smith is looking in excellent touch, this was nothing more than a flick of the wrists, Pandya drifted one onto Smith's pads, he used the pace on the ball, twirled around and sent it soaring over the mid-wicket boundary for a maximum
4.4 -
Krunal Pandya to S Tiwary, 1 run, Pandya drifts one outside off, clubbed towards long-on for a run
4.3 -
Krunal Pandya to Smith, 1 run, slower and just outside off, punched down towards long-off for a single
4.2 -
Krunal Pandya to Smith, no run, Pandya fires one down the leg-side, Smith was looking to help it towards the on-side and missed, might have clipped his trousers on the way to the keeper
4.1 -
Krunal Pandya to Smith, no run, pushed through on off, Smith prods across and defends it towards the on-side
Krunal Pandya, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack
3.6 -
McClenaghan to Smith, 3 runs, Bumrah is having a shocker in the field, this was short and just outside off, Smith swivelled across and pulled it towards mid-on. It should have been a simple stop, but Bumrtah lets it go right through his legs, almost went all the way to the boundary. He has to run back and retrieve it, costs his team three runs
3.5 -
McClenaghan to Smith, SIX, this is lovely cricket from Smith, short and wide outside off, he waits on it, gets on his toes, uses McClenaghan's pace and helps it high and over third man for a maximum
3.4 -
McClenaghan to Smith, no run, short of a length and just outside off, Smith went hard on the pull, drags it onto the ground and back towards the bowler
3.3 -
McClenaghan to Smith, FOUR, lovely shot, too straight from McClenaghan, ends up drifting onto Smith's pads, whipped away in front of square on the on-side for a boundary
McClenaghan switches to round the wicket
3.2 -
McClenaghan to S Tiwary, 1 run, another chance and Bumrah has shelled it. Poor McClenaghan, he just doesn't have any luck these days, this was banged in short and just outside off, cramped Tiwary for room on the pull. It went at a comfortable height and to the left of mid-on. Bumrah moved across, went reverse cup and clangs it. He has another chance - on the rebound, but went with hard hands and ends up dropping it
3.1 -
McClenaghan to S Tiwary, no run, short of a good length and just outside off, Tiwary punches it straight to the fielder at backward point
2.6 -
Southee to Smith, FOUR, cracking shot, this is adding insult to injury for Southee, short and wide outside off, sat up to be cracked. Smith gets on top of the bounce and laces it through point for a boundary
2.5 -
Southee to Smith, FOUR, inside edge and four. more luck for Smith, width on offer from Southee, Smith threw his bat at that, gets an inside edge past off-stump, beats Parthiv and rolls away to the fence
2.4 -
Southee to Smith, FOUR, chance and Parthiv Patel has shelled it. It was a tough chance, short of a good length and nipping back into Smith, it was a cross seam delivery as well. Smith wafted at that, gets an inside edge, to the left of Parthiv, he was initially going the wrong way, gets the dive in, gets his gloves but can't hold on
2.3 -
Southee to Smith, no run, overpitched and just outside off, Smith leans into a crisp drive, but can't get it past Pollard at short extra cover
2.2 -
Southee to S Tiwary, 1 run, low full toss on off, Tiwary was looking to drive and gets a thick edge towards backward point. Hardik dives and fumbles, allows a run
2.1 -
Southee to Smith, 1 run, on a good length and well outside off, Smith went chasing after that, gets a toe-edge towards third man, just a single
A slip and a gully in place for Smith
1.6 -
McClenaghan to S Tiwary, no run, short of a length and holding its line outside off, Tiwary went hard on the cut and is beaten by the extra bounce
Steven Smith, right handed bat, comes to the crease
1.5 -
McClenaghan to Rahane, out Caught by Krunal Pandya!! Poor choice of shot and Rahane departs! On a good length and angling across the right-hander, Rahane usually takes his time to settle, not this time though, he threw the kitchen sink at that, gets a healthy top-edge, high and down towards third man. Krunal settled himself under the skier and holds on, reverse cupped, I think. Early blow for Pune, they just can't get a start from their openers. Rahane c Krunal Pandya b McClenaghan 4(5)
McClenaghan to Rahane, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
1.4 -
McClenaghan to Rahane, no run, short of a good length and on off, Rahane prods across and defends it off the inner half of the bat
1.3 -
McClenaghan to S Tiwary, 1 run, on a good length and in that channel outside off, Tiwary plays from the crease and gets a thick edge towards third man, just a single
1.2 -
McClenaghan to S Tiwary, no run, short and well outside off, Tiwary went hard at the cut and missed, goes to the keeper on first bounce
1.1 -
McClenaghan to S Tiwary, no run, short of a length and just outside off, steered with an open face towards backward point
Mitchell McClenaghan, left-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
One slip for McClenaghan
0.6 -
Southee to Rahane, no run, tad fuller and on the stumps, Rahane gets well forward and drives it towards mid-on
0.5 -
Southee to S Tiwary, 1 run, on a good length and just outside off, Tiwary dropped it in front of mid-off and set-off for a quick single, Rahane was late in reacting, but scampers home in the end
0.4 -
Southee to Rahane, 3 runs, nicely played by Rahane, this was full and on the stumps, Rahane came forward, presented the full face of the bat and tucked it in front of square on the on-side. Buttler gives the chase and pulls the ball back in, saves a run for his team
0.4 -
Southee to Rahane, wide, Southee slips this one down the leg-side, Rahane was looking to flick and missed, called as a wide
Just one slip for Rahane as well
0.3 -
Southee to S Tiwary, 1 run, Southee looks for more swing and ends up offering a full toss on off, driven to the left of mid-on for a single
0.2 -
Southee to S Tiwary, no run, swing for Southee, this one shapes back into the left-hander, Tiwary gets forward and drives it towards mid-off
One slip for Southee
0.1 -
Southee to Rahane, 1 run, fuller length delivery and a hint of nip away from outside off, pushed wide of mid-off for a quick single
Rahane and S Tiwary are at the crease. Rahane is on strike. Southee will open the attack
Let the nerd in me propose a (con) theory: Mumbai' season gets better exponentially. What more proof do we need? Pune are in a deep pit, Dhoni's (alleged) luck has deserted him and Pune, the venue's T20 League jinx continues. Join us back tomorrow..the action continues. Good night from Pratyush Sinha on behalf of Raju Peethala, Pradeep and our scorer Venkatesh. Ta-ta
"I think it was a great effort although we didn't started the way we wanted to. We didn't field well. Dropping catches is never a good sign. Restricting them to 160 was a great effort, given the way they started. Spinners and fast bowlers did well in the middle, and Bumrah and McClenaghan finished it off well. I have not had a great time batting first, but when you are chasing, the target is in front and you can plan. Toss is not in our hands and whatever you end up doing, you have to do well. We are on the right track but there's room to improve our fielding. These things (the Harbhajan-Rayudu confrontation) happen. Both are quite aggressive on the field and they like to give it all. They have been playing together for a long time for MUM and they must be having a good time now off the field. We saw them hug when Bhajji got Handscomb out. They are mature professional cricketers and they know how to handle themselves in the field. Going into the next game, we will try and keep everything in mind", says Rohit Sharma who's the Man of the Match (and is holding a cheque that's bigger than my bedroom's window)
Here come the presentations...hang on for the quotes but I fear we have the most interesting of them (read Dhoni's) up on the page already
Dhoni: "I think we didn't bat well after the 10th over, and that includes me. At times, we thought too much about losing wickets. From next game, we have to give responsibilty to a few guys to bat through the innings and others can play around them. We need to go out and express ourselves. We might get out for 140 odd but we will also give ourselves a chance. Bowling has improved. But for giving runs on both the sides, we had done well today. But nothing counts if we are not winning. We have to change a few theories. We don't have much to lose. Go out there and take things as they come."
However, the bulk of the credit has to go to MUM's bowlers who pulled things back after Smith cracked a breezy innings. The duo of Bumrah and McClenaghan befuddled the opposition with their box of tricks. Harbhajan clamped down on the scoring rate by bowling with discipline. For PUNE, Tiwary crunched a fifty, but lost the plot in the slog overs.
Rohit Sharma's unsullied and effortless game, ensured MUM would overhaul PUNE' target convincingly. Runs flowed smoothly from the fulcrum of MUM's batting line-up. He cut, drove and pulled; unhurried and languid. Rohit also threaded gaps with surgical-like finesse to keep the scorecard ticking. The trio of Parthiv, Buttler and Rayudu played useful hands.
18.3 -
Murugan Ashwin to Rohit, SIX, makes sense that someone from Maharashtra wins this on Maharashtra Day. But a boring win - another target mediocred, another Rohit Sharma half-century and another loss at home ground for Pune...who last won a home match when United States had paid maternity leaves. That is never. Anyway, coming to the winning shot now. Rohit wound up on the back foot, cleared his front leg and slogged this over mid-wicket to rubber the winning spree
18.2 -
Murugan Ashwin to Buttler, 1 run, razored into the leg-side. The straight line allowed Buttler to do so
18.1 -
Murugan Ashwin to Rohit, 1 run, full toss again (oh irony!). Okay no. Not a full toss. I need bigger glasses. Sharma casts a full delivery down to long-on
Murugan Ashwin [2.0-0-17-0] is back into the attack
17.6 -
Dinda to Buttler, FOUR, file a warrant already! Full toss, will you believe? And what happens when you bowl it to Buttler? You get shamed through covers. Used all his power and shaved it to the fences
17.5 -
Dinda to Rohit, 1 run, turned to mid-wicket for a single
17.4 -
Dinda to Rohit, FOUR, was making room..Dinda thought of yorking him but couldn't quite push the ball right upto Sharma. Between the legs and it's been nonchalantly picked up with a flick over mid-wicket
17.3 -
Dinda to Rohit, FOUR, wow. Gets a very full ball and flogs it straight down the ground. Got under it, powered it over a ducking Dinda (he didn't need to) and smiles
17.2 -
Dinda to Buttler, leg byes, 1 run, caught at backward point but umpire signals a leg bye soon after. Never underestimate Dinda. Gets this bumper to hurry in, Buttler is hit as he tries to swivel-pull and the ball lobbed to the fielder. Appeal but it does down quickly enough
17.1 -
Dinda to Rohit, 1 run, goes full but pits it in front of leg-stump, Sharma turned around and whipped it over to deep backward square
Ashok Dinda [2.0-0-19-1] is back into the attack
Dinda time *Kolkata on its toes*
16.6 -
Boland to Buttler, 2 runs, need a scavenger hunt to find the timing. Has gone missing. It's rare and was last seen off Rohit Sharma's bat. Help us find. Length ball, Buttler looks to go big over the cover and squirts it off the outside half over extra cover. 22 runs in 18 balls
16.5 -
Boland to Rohit, 1 run, full toss...dips to deny any timing on this flat-batted biff. Rolls to long-off allowing a cheap single
16.4 -
Boland to Rohit, leg byes, 2 runs, lifts his front leg and turns this shortish delivery with a gentle pull...to fine leg
16.3 -
Boland to Rohit, FOUR, a circus. Fetches him four but cricket's a batsman's game for a reason. Had shuffled across on his front foot trying to scoop this over short fine, Boland fires it wider and Sharma bat ekes out an outside edge that nutmegs him to the fences. All comedy
16.2 -
Boland to Rohit, no run, lovely. Rolls fingers on this bouncer which arrives slowly, Sharma hops with the bounce to ramp it over short third but cannot connect
16.2 -
Boland to Rohit, wide, short ball banged in. Doesn't rise, line's down leg too and Rohit's swivelling pull ekes out a glove that does in front of the keeper. Wided and Boland doesn't like it. Who would?
A big six or a wicket next ball?
16.1 -
Boland to Buttler, 1 run, hops back to let this in-ducker arrive and taps it to cover-point
Scott Boland [2.0-0-14-0] is back into the attack
Time-out! 33 runs needed off the last 4 overs..
15.6 -
Murugan Ashwin to Buttler, 1 run, uses his bat like a club and squeezes it to long-on
15.5 -
Murugan Ashwin to Buttler, SIX, Buttler! Skates out of the crease and hammers Murugan Ashwin over his head. Hint of flight, Buttler pre-empts the length early and couriers it downtown
15.4 -
Murugan Ashwin to Rohit, 1 run, bowls this slightly quick, Sharma waits on it before meeting it with a closed-bat push to long-on
15.3 -
Murugan Ashwin to Buttler, 1 run, was shimmying but then arrests himself seeing a full toss drifting down. Chips it short of deep mid-wicket and runs a single
15.2 -
Murugan Ashwin to Buttler, 2 runs, this skid on quick but Buttler didn't allow it to do much. Hunched forward and turned it to deep mid-wicket
15.1 -
Murugan Ashwin to Rohit, 1 run, looks to drop this flatter one in the blockhole but it's a full toss. Sharma allows it to dip before driving it through cover
Murugan Ashwin [1.0-0-5-0] is back into the attack
14.6 -
T Perera to Rohit, 1 run, slashed to backward point. Short again (oh Perera!) and width there too. 45 runs needed in 30 balls
14.5 -
T Perera to Rohit, no run, a mid-pitch stutter and both batsmen run back to their ends, alas. Short ball flogged with a cut but the throw is fired back
14.4 -
T Perera to Rohit, FOUR, that's a drive in free fall. Yummy fuller length delivery wide of off, Sharma uses the room to lean across and caresses it with a drive wide of cover. That was for all the hungry Test purists
14.3 -
T Perera to Buttler, 1 run, slows the pace further down, Buttler's flat-batted pummel is mistimed to long-off
14.2 -
T Perera to Buttler, FOUR, he's got that. Blow me down! Shuffles across early, Perera doesn't bother with an adjustment. Fires it around off and Buttler scoops it with disdain over short fine
What have you got, Buttler?
14.1 -
T Perera to Rohit, 1 run, the finger-rolling fest's here. On a length, slow pace and Sharma turns it to mid-wicket
Thisara Perera [3.0-0-24-0] is back into the attack
Last 6 overs...56 runs to get. A certain Rohit can run away with this. Captain Rohit might not..
13.6 -
R Bhatia to Rohit, 1 run, fuller length delivery, allows it to come in again and lifts his hands with the bounce to punch this through mid-on
13.5 -
R Bhatia to Buttler, 1 run, took a step outside leg, Bhatia follows him with a full one that's pushed to long-on
13.4 -
R Bhatia to Rohit, 1 run, yorker dipping wide of off, Sharma gets lower and dabs it to short third man on the half-volley
13.3 -
R Bhatia to Buttler, 1 run, allows this fullish delivery to dart in, had the stumps exposed while doing so, and interrupts with a punch to long-on...just in time
13.2 -
R Bhatia to Rohit, 1 run, turned round the corner for a single
13.1 -
R Bhatia to Buttler, leg byes, 1 run, a begging appeal but given a short shrift by the umpire. Hit outside the line. Fuller one around off, Buttler was late to plonk hit front foot across to reverse sweep, gets rapped on the pad to invite that appeal
Rajat Bhatia [2.0-0-15-0] is back into the attack
12.6 -
Murugan Ashwin to Rohit, 2 runs, no flight to feed but it's wide. Sharma flashes his bat, gets it wide of cover-point and steals a couple of runs. 62 runs needed in 42 balls
12.5 -
Murugan Ashwin to Rohit, no run, plonks forward again, the length's full enough to do that but piped straight to mid-off
12.4 -
Murugan Ashwin to Rohit, no run, gets forward and blocks this into the off-side
12.3 -
Murugan Ashwin to Rohit, 2 runs, playing with Kohli helps. Rohit Sharma now loves hounding down targets too. Another fifty this T20 League. Raises his bat after punishing this short delivery through backward point for a brace
12.2 -
Murugan Ashwin to Buttler, 1 run, worked this one through mid-wicket for a single
12.1 -
Murugan Ashwin to Buttler, no run, sees it fired flatter outside off and immediately reverse-sweeps it to backward point
Murugan Ashwin, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
Mumbai need 67 runs in 48 balls
11.6 -
Ashwin to Buttler, 1 run, too straight to not be nudged round the corner
11.5 -
Ashwin to Rohit, 1 run, goes full and Sharma pushes it to long-on
Jos Buttler, right handed bat, comes to the crease
11.4 -
Ashwin to Rayudu, out Caught by Rahane!! Stop the press. Ashwin has a wicket tonight. Nothing delivery, I swear. Just a tame off-break, Rayudu shies out of the crease looking for another ambitious hit. Swings his crossed bat but mistimes it to deep mid-wicket stationed inches within the rope. Replays suggest that the bounce might have been the subtle devil. Rayudu c Rahane b Ashwin 22(19) [4s-1 6s-1]
Ashwin to Rayudu, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
11.3 -
Ashwin to Rohit, 1 run, jammed to point with an open bat
11.2 -
Ashwin to Rohit, FOUR, a carrom ball to announce the fifty run stand. Ashwin dragged the length short, Sharma was back in the blink of the eye and pulled it round the corner
11.1 -
Ashwin to Rohit, no run, drifting in, Sharma nurdles it into the leg-side
Overs = 9, Runs = 74
10.6 -
Boland to Rohit, 1 run, on the pads, Sharma crouches to carve it off his pads and then jams it into the pitch. Shoved to fine leg for a single to keep strike
10.5 -
Boland to Rayudu, 1 run, shorter length again but not the room to straighten elbows. Rayudu settles for a soft-handed nudge to third man
10.4 -
Boland to Rayudu, FOUR, shortish delivery and subsidized with width. Why would you not hit that? Rayudu rocks back and flogs it with a cut...over a leaping backward point
10.3 -
Boland to Rohit, 1 run, length ball splayed on leg-stump, Sharma half-turns for a tickle to mid-wicket
10.2 -
Boland to Rayudu, 1 run, Boland tries that length again. Bends back, Rayudu gambles on the pull again and another dragged single to long-on
10.1 -
Boland to Rayudu, 2 runs, Boland bangs this in, not much pace and Rayudu picks it up with a pull. Not much swivel and as a result, he got more height on it. Mistimed to deep mid-wicket
Scott Boland [1.0-0-4-0] is back into the attack
84 runs off the last 10 overs..
9.6 -
Ashwin to Rayudu, 1 run, lets this offbreak turn in leisurely, rocks back to create space and heaved it through mid-wicket. Had his front foot cleared too but put in too much there - dragged as a result
9.5 -
Ashwin to Rayudu, no run, waited with an open blade but the dab was poorly placed to backward point
9.4 -
Ashwin to Rohit, 1 run, turns around with the spin and tickles this off his hips to mid-wicket
9.3 -
Ashwin to Rohit, no run, this attempted off-break doesn't turn in. Hits the deck and goes on straight, with all of its bounce robbed off. Defended into the leg-side
9.2 -
Ashwin to Rohit, 2 runs, twirls his wrists as he delivers this ball which stays low within the stumps, Sharma stands back and clips it to mid-wicket
9.1 -
Ashwin to Rohit, no run, sliding on straight, Sharma hunches forward and blocks with an open bat
Time-out! This looks a stroll at the moment.. Ashwin will continue
8.6 -
R Bhatia to Rohit, 1 run, uses soft hands to shave this off his pads, and runs a quick single to mid-wicket
8.5 -
R Bhatia to Rayudu, 1 run, tamely gets forward and wrists it to long-on
8.4 -
R Bhatia to Rohit, 1 run, clipped to short fine
8.3 -
R Bhatia to Rohit, SIX, Happy Maharashtra Day! If Rayudu can, Rohit can too. That was gargantuan. 104 metres. I'm not lying! A feeble length ball, Sharma winds up on the back foot and mows it over long-on. Wow
8.2 -
R Bhatia to Rohit, no run, was waiting on front foot, presents a straight bat and pushes the ball to Bhatia's left
8.1 -
R Bhatia to Rohit, 2 runs, slowish delivery (when is it not?) veering into the pads, Sharma lets out a belated tuck and trims it to fine leg for a brace
7.6 -
Ashwin to Rayudu, SIX, oh my giddy aunt! That's huge. Ashwin flighted this a little, Rayudu shimmied down the pitch and manhandled it over cow corner
7.5 -
Ashwin to Rohit, 1 run, slides down leg-side and an easy tickle fetches Sharma a single behind square
7.4 -
Ashwin to Rayudu, 1 run, similar length but more power iin this pushy defence earns a single. Yes, you're right. To long-on
7.3 -
Ashwin to Rayudu, no run, fuller length, invites Rayudu forward with a dead-batted defence
7.2 -
Ashwin to Rohit, 1 run, could see more rips on the ball, turns in a touch and Sharma uses the good bounce to punch a single to long-on, again
7.1 -
Ashwin to Rayudu, 1 run, straightens within the stumps, Rayudu wrists one to long-on
Ravichandran Ashwin, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
Here's Ashwin..
6.6 -
R Bhatia to Rayudu, 1 run, third man is in fashion. The ball turns away at Bhatia's pace, gives Rayudu the room and time to pinch a single
6.5 -
R Bhatia to Rayudu, no run, darts it outside off, wobbly seam hits the deck and grazes past Rayudu's open blade. Intention was to run it down to third man but it zoomed off the pitch quick, denying Rayudu the bat-ball contact
6.4 -
R Bhatia to Rohit, 1 run, that was slow. Slower than erosion. On a length and it's an easy punch to long-on
6.3 -
R Bhatia to Rohit, no run, good bounce as the ball grips and bounds up, Rohit rises with it and thumps it to mid-off
6.2 -
R Bhatia to Rayudu, 1 run, darts off the pitch like a legbreak, just a touch, and Rayudu again could nab a single to third man
6.1 -
R Bhatia to Rohit, 1 run, hangs back, opens up and dabs this slower delivery to gully. More like a chopped shot but it's good enough for a single
Rajat Bhatia, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
Taking over the commentary from Raju Peethala is often difficult, but I shall try
5.6 -
T Perera to Rohit, 1 run, and a customary dab down to third man to end the over
5.5 -
T Perera to Rayudu, 1 run, similar delivery and Rayudu manages to place this wide of the slip
5.4 -
T Perera to Rayudu, no run, just short of a good length, Rayudu plays a late-dab with soft hands, slots it straight to lone-slip
5.3 -
T Perera to Rohit, 1 run, stump-to-stump line, Rohit tucks and finds a single through mid-wicket
5.2 -
T Perera to Rayudu, 1 run, swerving away outside off at 129ks, Rayudu looks to loft, outside edge bounces well in front of third man
5.1 -
T Perera to Rayudu, no run, slower full delivery outside off, driven crisply to cover-point
Thisara Perera [2.0-0-20-0] is back into the attack
4.6 -
Boland to Rohit, FOUR, short and too straight, Rohit makes him pay for being so. Unfurls a tremendous pull over mid-wicket and off she goes...
4.5 -
Boland to Rohit, no run, knocked into the on-side
4.4 -
Boland to Rohit, no run, ambitious appeal for lbw but that's clearly missing leg. Goes wide of the crease and scissors this length delivery into the right-hander. Rohit is late on the flick, hit in line with middle and leg
4.3 -
Boland to Rohit, no run, slightly fuller outside off, Rohit dabs with an angled bat, brings backward point into play
4.2 -
Boland to Rohit, no run, targetting the stumps again, Rohit clips straight to square leg
4.1 -
Boland to Rohit, no run, length on the stumps, nurdled away into the leg-side with soft hands
Scott Boland, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
Ambati Rayudu, right handed bat, comes to the crease
3.6 -
Dinda to Parthiv Patel, out Caught by Dhoni!! Dinda celebrates... Very full and got it to nibble away slightly in the corridor of uncertainty, Patel swings hard and gets a thick toe-edge. Flies to the left of MS who dives full length and snaffles it. Well-judged catch that one. Parthiv Patel c Dhoni b Dinda 21(15) [4s-4]
Dinda to Parthiv Patel, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
3.5 -
Dinda to Parthiv Patel, FOUR, Dinda continues to feed width and PP is loving it. Hopping on the back foot and thrashing it square on the off-side, beating a dive from backward point
3.4 -
Dinda to Parthiv Patel, FOUR, short and too much of room on offer, Patel jumps on the back foot and nails the cut through the covers. Raced away!
3.3 -
Dinda to Parthiv Patel, FOUR, neatly done! A straight drive that flew...Elegant stuff from PP as he times the pants off the stroke against a full delivery
3.3 -
Dinda to Parthiv Patel, wide, pacy short delivery angling away, Patel throws his hands but was well wide of his reach
3.2 -
Dinda to Parthiv Patel, no run, gets the yorker right, Patel shuffles and nearly yorks himself on the flick
3.1 -
Dinda to Parthiv Patel, 2 runs, arrows one into the pads, Patel picks it up and tucks it to deep square
2.6 -
T Perera to Rohit, 2 runs, goodish length outside off, Rohit hops and whips along the ground square on the leg-side
2.5 -
T Perera to Rohit, FOUR, width on offer and Rohit goes chasing after it. The key is he went with a straight bat this time, the outside edge goes high and over short third man
2.4 -
T Perera to Rohit, no run, full on middle, Rohit flicks and finds mid-wicket
2.3 -
T Perera to Rohit, FOUR, short and drifting away outside off, Rohit throws the kitchen sink and skews it off the top-edge, bounces and couple of times before trickling towards the third man fence
2.2 -
T Perera to Rohit, SIX, he's just turned 29 and he's hit one for a 79-metre six. You don't bowl short to Rohit, do you? When you do that, he languidly pulls it over mid-wicket
2.1 -
T Perera to Rohit, no run, 135ks smidgen full outside off, Rohit bunts it into the ground, on the bounce towards backward point
1.6 -
Dinda to Parthiv Patel, no run, fuller and straighter, driven neatly to the man at mid-on
1.5 -
Dinda to Parthiv Patel, no run, where was PP going there? Tucks a shortish delivery to mid-wicket and sets off, Rohit yells out a loud "no" and sends him back in time
1.4 -
Dinda to Parthiv Patel, no run, hits the good length and hurries PP on the back foot, punched solidly straight to cover
1.3 -
Dinda to Parthiv Patel, no run, speared in at 130ks around fifth stump channel, played back to the bowler
1.2 -
Dinda to Parthiv Patel, no run, touch short and just outside off, punched to mid-off
1.1 -
Dinda to Parthiv Patel, FOUR, that's a gift and Patel obliges gleefully. Down leg and Patel helps it wide of a diving leg slip
Ashok Dinda, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
Ashok Dinda from the other end...
0.6 -
T Perera to Parthiv Patel, 1 run, too straight from Thisara, Patel tucks one off his hip, a single to fine leg
0.5 -
T Perera to Parthiv Patel, 2 runs, full and splayed wide of off, Patel eases the drive through the covers
0.4 -
T Perera to Parthiv Patel, no run, short and wide, Patel crunches the back foot cut, Handscomb dives full length at backward point and denies him a boundary
0.3 -
T Perera to Rohit, 1 run, this one swung! Good length swinging into the pads, Rohit flicks and is off the mark with a single to mid-wicket
0.2 -
T Perera to Rohit, no run, 130ks fullish delivery around off, Rohit exhibits a straight willow in defence
0.1 -
T Perera to Rohit, no run, gentle length delivery outside off, bounces a bit extra than Rohit expected, he jumps and punches it to cover
Rohit and Parthiv Patel are at the crease. Rohit is on strike. T Perera will open the attack