Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav put Mumbai Indians in sight of top-two finish
Mumbai became the first team to reach 16 points and all but secure their place in the playoffs
Mumbai became the first team to reach 16 points and all but secure their place in the playoffs
Scorer: Venkat Raghav | Commentator: Sidharth Monga
That ends tonight's presentation. Mumbai Indians back to their winning ways. Now firmly on the top of the table. Thanks for joining
Suryakumar Yadav, the Man of the Match: "I was looking to finish games for a long time. I used to thick how to do it. I needed to know my game completely and just go out and do it. Been doing meditation, spending time on myself, that helps me out in the middle. The shots that stood out were over covers to Chahal, and the back-foot drive to Dale Steyn. I worked on my game a lot during the lockdown. Before that I used to prefer the leg side. I have been loving the No. 3 position, but I wanted to finish off the game, which is why I am glad with this effort."
Kieron Pollard: "I am big on match-ups in a way. I also watch a lot of cricket. I took a punt and bowled at AB. I could have waited for the last over but if someone has to go for runs I thought I'd take it. Bumrah continues to keep standing up throughout the tournament. But again we have been playing total team cricket. Somebody is always there to pick up the slack. Imagine someone batting at that strike rate after two early wickets. Deep down inside he must be very very disappointed to bot ave donned the blue for India. He just keeps getting better. Again as an individual if you keep staying consistent, you will be rewarded. Nothing happens before its time. There is discussion around my batting position, I would love to be up there, taking the runs and hitting the runs, but we have to do what is the best for the team."
That win takes MI well clear of the pack. Their qualification is all but done, but they will like to win more to stay in the top two. RCB, despite the loss, remain at No. 2. Their NRR is higher than DC's. The win has come thanks to a supreme bowling performance by Bumrah and then Yadav at his best. Showing the national selectors and team management just what they have missed out on. There was a bit of everything in Yadav's innings: extra-cover drives, back-foot punches, sweeps to upset Chahal's lengths and figures, and then the odd ramp in the end. And he stayed cool and calm even as RCB tried to raise the tempers to see if they could induce a mistake
Virat Kohli: "It was a strange phase of batting out there where everything we hit went straight to the fielders. They bowled good channels, and kept us 20 short of a par total. We still gave them a good fight. Tonight we thought the ball might swing early so we bowled Morris and Dale. Then we went to Washy. The game was tight, but I think they batted that phase well."
There has been needle between Kohli and Yadav all night. And he has taken them home without losing his cool. And doesn't get too excited after finishing this off. He is like I am cool, I have not surprised myself with this
Kabir: "Actually this win all but guarantees a top two finish. MI now have 8 wins. We can assume MI will always have the best NRR. The only two teams that can get to 9 wins are RCB and DC (if they win all their remaining games) But, RCB vs DC will have a loser, so it is impossible for both teams to get to 9 wins. Only one of RCB or DC can overtake MI on the table, even if MI lose the next two games, barring a GIGANTIC shift in net run rate. "
Siraj to bowl now
Pollard walks in with seven to get off seven. I have my money on a walk down the wicket and a leave outside off this ball. Morris will want to bowl a sharp bouncer
HH Pandya c Mohammed Siraj b Morris 17 (15b 0x4 2x6) SR: 113.33
Mid-off goes back
Also, what did Devdutt Padikkal do differently today in the middle overs?
The Mumbai Indians batsman is happy he was able to "finish the game" against the Royal Challengers Bangalore
RCB are still No. 2, but if they lose both their remaining matches, things could get sticky for them
Mumbai became the first team to reach 16 points and all but secure their place in the playoffs
ESPNcricinfo's updates from the 48th match of IPL 2020