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MI vs RPS: Rahane, Tiwary, Washington Sundar propel Pune into IPL final

MI: 142-9 from 20 overs (Parthiv Patel: 52, Jasprit Bumrah: 16; Washington Sundar: 3-16). RPS defeat MI by 20 runs.

Mumbai: Rising Pune Supergiant put up a brilliant all-round show, to complete a comprehensive 20-run victory at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, on Tuesday, that booked them a spot in the IPL final, in Hyderabad.

Pune had started off a bit slowly, with Mumbai picking up a couple of early wickets, but Ajinkya Rahane (56) stabilised the innings with Manoj Tiwary (58*), to give Mahendra Singh Dhoni (40*) the base to launch them to a competitive target of 162-4.

It all seemed to be going well for Mumbai, as Parthiv Patel and Lendl Simmons got them off to a flying start in the second innings. However, once Shardul Thakur managed to get Simmos out by cleverly getting his fingers on a Parthiv straight drive, that wne t on the hit the runners' end stumps, catching the West Indian a long way out of his crease.

That triggered the downfall of the Mumbai Indians batting order, as wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Parthiv Patel (52) did offer some resistance, but Pune were just too good on the night.

Washington Sundar (3-16) came took the three crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, and Kieron Pollard, to dent Mumbai's chances, while Shardul Thakur (3-37) got the all-important wicket of Parthiv.

This win books Pune a direct spot in the final of IPL 2017, which is set to be held at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad, on Sunday. Mumbai Indians on the other hand, will look to defeat the winners of the Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders in the second Qualifier, to make it to the final.

MI: 142-9 from 20 overs

And its all over. RPS have made it to the final of the IPL, as they defeat Mumbai by 20 runs. For Mumbai Indians, they have to play the winner of the eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, to progress to the final.

MI: 111-8 from 17 overs

WICKET! Its Krunal's turn to go for the big shot, but he only managed to top-edge it, as MS Dhoni took an easy high catch behind the stumps.

MI: 103-7 from 15 overs

WICKET! Shardul rolls his fingers over the ball, as Parthiv gets out in a similar fashion as Krunal. Daniel Christian takes the easy catch again, in the deep.

MI: 101-6 from 14.3 overs

WICKET! Krunal Pandya goes for the big slog down the ground, but again gives an easy catch to Daniel Christian.

MI: 75-5 from 11.1 overs

WICKET! Pandya plays an uppish straigh drive on the half-volley, trying to clear long-on. However, he hits it straight down Daniel Christian's throat.

MI: 71-4 from 10 overs

Brilliant comeback by Pune in the last few overs. Washington Sundar’s inclusion seems to be an inspired one, as he took three quick wickets, to pull down Mumbai Indians’ run rate.

MI: 51-4 from 8 overs

WICKET! Pollard looks to flick it on the leg side, and steal a single. However, the ball travelled flat and parallel to the ground, as Steve Smith took a stunner of a catch, again at short mid-wicket.

MI: 41-3 from 5.4 overs

WICKET! Another one bites the dust. Rayudu rocks back on his back foot, to pull Washington on the leg side, and Steve Smith takes a brilliant diving catch at short mid-wicket.

MI: 41-2 from 5.1 overs

WICKET! The wrong-un does it for Washington. Rohit sharma went for the sweep, but seemed to have been trapped LBW on the line of the middle stump. Replays suggested, however, that Sharma had caught a thick inside edge off the bat.

MI: 35-1 from 4.3 overs

WICKET! In-form Parthiv strikes it down the ground, but Shardul managed to get a finger on that, as the ball crashed into the stumps. Simmons was way outside his crease.

RPS 162-4 from 20 overs

Brilliant batting by the RPS batsmen. They were struggling initially, but a late surge by Manoj Tiwary and MS Dhoni helped them put up a challenging total.

RPS 104-3 from 15 overs

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has gotten into the act. Dances down the track to smash Karn Sharma over the ropes for a six. RPS need some big hitting from Dhoni, if they want to defeat Mumbai Indians tonight.

RPS 89-3 from 12.4 overs

WICKET! A big wicket for Mumbai. Rahane, who just completed his 50, got deceived by Karn Sharma's top-spinner, and got trapped LBW.

RPS 63-2 from 10 overs

Despite the poor start, Ajinkya Rahane and Manoj Tiwary have done well to consolidate their win. Another wicket, and MI would be right back on the top.

RPS 31-2 from 5 overs

A brilliant start by Mumbai Indians here. Their two opening bowlers Mitchell McClenaghan and Lasith Malinga have struck in their respective first overs, keeping the run rate in check.

RPS 9-2 from 1.5 overs

WICKET! Big wicket! Steve Smtih completely mis-read the pace of the ball, and top edged it to give an easy catch to Hardik Pandya.

RPS 6-1 from 1 over

WICKET! A peach of a ball by McClenaghan. A slight hint of in-swing helps McClenaghan go through Rahul Tripathi's defence, as it crashed into the stumps.

Teams:

Mumbai IndiansXI: Parthiv Patel (wk), Lendl Simmons, Rohit Sharma (c), Ambati Rayudu, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Karn Sharma, Mitchell McClenaghan, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah

Rising Pune Supergiant XI: Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Tripathi, Steven Smith (c), Manoj Tiwary, MS Dhoni (wk), Daniel Christian, Washington Sundar, Lockie Ferguson, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Adam Zampa

Toss:

Rohit Sharma has won the toss, and has decided to bat first.

Preview: Local rivalries are all set to resume, as Mumbai Indians is all set to welcome the Rising Pune Supergiant into their den, the Wankhede Stadium, on Tuesday.

The Mumbai franchise have exhibited supreme form this season, ending the league stage at the top of the IPL table, which automatically gives them an extra shot at qualifying for the final.

Just like most of the top rivalries in the world of cricket, the first two playoffs will witness an India-Australia rivalry.

While the Wednesday game will have Rohit Sharma and Steve Smith squaring off against each other, the eliminator in Bengaluru on Wednesday will see Gautam Gambhir and David Warner leading their sides out onto the pitch.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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