That's that then, it's been a long(er) evening then and in the end, an exciting one on the field. The game yo-yoed both ways till before Mumbai edged ahead to make it to the final where they take on Chennai on Sunday. Can they win their first title? Or will it be a third one for the Super Kings? One way or the other, hoping for another exciting match. Suneer Chowdhary signing off, ciao!
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Presentation
Rahul Dravid: We needed to field better, ground fielding on a greasy outfield needed to be better. But credit to the boys, the way we have fought the whole tournament. Much faster this wicket than what we have seen this IPL. Positives for me, are the way the team fought and the spirit they showed throughout. We try and bring the youngsters in the Royals and its great to see that.
Rohit Sharma: Some tense moments but we have shown character throughout the tournament. We should have finished the game by the 19th over probably. I have really enjoyed captaining since day 1. At the end of day the seniors I am the captain but I try to keep it simple.
Harbhajan Singh, man of the match: It was one of those days when everything clicked. Wicket in the first ball gave me a lot of confidence. This is my favourite ground to play cricket and it's the best ground in the world. We are there to support Rohit Sharma, chip in with our bit and hopefully we can all assist him in lifting the trophy
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It's gone down to the wire but Mumbai Indians have managed to hold on to their nerves in the end. Rajasthan Royals will rue the way they fielded, it was one of the worst efforts this whole IPL.
Incidentally Harbhajan celebrated that winning stroke with a rock-the-baby celebration.
James Faulkner gets the Purple Cap. He says it's been a devastating feeling to have lost the game.
It was an excellent effort from Dwayne Smith, back-to-back fifties from the West Indian. The first time around against the Super Kings, he was dazzling in his stroke-play, tonight, he was more circumspect and played on almost till the end.
Right, so back to Mumbai v Chennai in the final. Twice Mumbai have won against them. Then Chennai defeated Mumbai in the first playoffs game. Who will be it this time?
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Deepak: "I am a CSK fan and my friend is a MI fan. We have a table booked @ Hardrock Café on sunday. That's going to be one hell of a night!!!!"
Sanjay Iyer: "Ironic....Sammy bought and took out sunrisers into playoffs.....hodge continues the tradition....gets RR in and now out..:D"
Ashok: "Rishi dhawan's first ball four in the last over reminded me of Rishikesh Kanitker who also scored a boundary under similar situation for India against Pakistan of Saqlain's bowling some 10-15 years ago."
Pushkar Sudame: "MI and CSK will play with each other for the 4th time this series.. And that too at 4 different places.. Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and on Sunday.. Kolkata :)"
The field's up now. So is the keeper.
6 off 4 needed. Dhawan with the bat.
Sai: "hahaha... Just now Hodge is asking the crowd to cheer up and immediately catch dropped by him and crowd started cheering. This looks bad...."
AT Rayudu b Watson 17 (13m 11b 1x4 1x6) SR: 154.54
Ananth: "What a contest in 'who plays poorer cricket'! Good signs for CSK."
Last over. Rayadu on strike. Eight needed. Watson with the ball.
kailash: "Never seen such an up down innings! If Mumbai doesn't win, it'll be considered as the biggest choke job!" For now I will take help of a cliche. It's anybody's game.
END OF OVER:19 | 15 Runs | MI: 158/5 (8 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 8.31, RRR: 8.00)
- Ambati Rayudu15 (9b)
- Harbhajan Singh2 (3b)
- Kevon Cooper4-0-33-2
- James Faulkner4-0-36-1
Cooper with the ball.
END OF OVER:18 | 3 Runs 1 Wkt | MI: 143/5 (23 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 7.94, RRR: 11.50)
- Harbhajan Singh1 (2b)
- Ambati Rayudu2 (4b)
- James Faulkner4-0-36-1
- Stuart Binny1-0-11-1
24 off 14.
KA Pollard c Cooper b Faulkner 11 (10m 6b 0x4 1x6) SR: 183.33
26 from three. Faulker's not had a good evening with the ball. Will bowl his last now.
Prayag: "@ Manasvi : But don't forget that MI is here because of him too..."
END OF OVER:17 | 11 Runs 1 Wkt | MI: 140/4 (26 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.23, RRR: 8.66)
- Ambati Rayudu1 (1b)
- Kieron Pollard11 (5b)
- Stuart Binny1-0-11-1
- Siddharth Trivedi4-0-23-1
DR Smith c Samson b Binny 62 (76m 44b 6x4 2x6) SR: 140.90