Internet Desk: Running into bowl the final six balls of the match at one of the noisiest cricket grounds in the world where the army of loyal fans combine to form the 12th man is a task that requires tremendous self-confidence. After Ben Stokes bowled an extremely tight 19 overs in which he conceded just seven runs, the onus was on Jaydev Unadkat to complete the job and ruin home team Mumbai Indians’ party. He was up against MI captain Rohit Sharma, who posted his maiden half-century of VIVO IPL 2017 and in-form all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
Unadkat chose to start with a slower ball and Pandya fell for it as he did not get the desired elevation and it was Stokes again, who completed a fine catch. The second ball was dispatched for a six by Rohit and with 11 to get from three, Unadkat’s third ball, a dot, raised a storm. A shuffling Rohit let the ball go, thinking it a was wide outside off but the umpire found it fair. Next ball, Unadkat struck and Rohit was dismissed for 58. With those two big wickets, Unadkat sealed the Maharashtra Derby for RPS for second time this season. If Stokes was the hero with his fantastic spell of 4-1-21-2, Unadkat admirably performed the supporting role.
Senior member Imran Tahir and Unadkat later relieved the thrilling win in a chat with iplt20.com.
The Mumbai Indians were on a roll, but you’ve ended their five-match winning streak.
Jaydev Unadkat: It was a much-needed win for us. We were on a winning streak as well, so this will boost our momentum. To beat MI at the Wankhede is a huge boost for the side. We did well as a unit and that was the most important factor. We bowled in partnerships and took wickets. I am really happy for my team and myself.
As has been the theme in the last couple of IPL matches, the bowlers have played a major role in the team’s victory.
Imran Tahir: Having won a couple of games, we were confident ahead of this match. We knew we were the only to beat MI. We are really proud and pleased with our performance. I think 160 was a good score on this pitch and the batsmen did their job as well.
Often the 19th and 20th overs make all the difference. What was the chat when Stokes bowled the penultimate over?
Unadkat: Ben Stokes set the game up for me with a brilliant 19th over. The plans were simple and we had talked about them in the meeting. Smithy (Steve Smith) wanted us to bowl to our strengths. We stuck to our plans. When you back yourself to do well on a surface where the ball was gripping a bit and there was some help for the bowlers, you always end up on a winning note.
What was your plan when you lined up to bowl the final over as MI had to fantastic batsmen in the middle?
Unadkat: Today was the day where I felt I could do something special. There are some days when players feel they will be the ones (to play a role in the team’s victory). I stuck to my strength, which was to ball cutters. We had the right field placements for the last over. When I got Hardik’s wicket on the first ball, I felt this is the time when I could do something for my team and I am really happy I did that.
Courtesy- IPL media.