CHRIS DHAMBARAGE
COLOMBO – Five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) produced a clinical performance to outplay Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by a massive 81 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Eliminator fixture played at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai on Wednesday.
MI once again proved why they are the most successful team in the history of the IPL by compiling a competitive 182 for eight after electing to bat first and then went on to skittle out their opponents for a paltry 101 runs in 16.3 overs.
Player of the Match Akash Madhwal was in tremendous form as he delivered one of the most destructive spells of fast bowling this IPL season to return amazing figures of five wickets for just five runs from 3.3 overs.
The 29-year-old right-arm seamer also created a piece of history as he equalled the record for least runs conceded for a five-wicket haul, set by Anil Kumble, whose five for five came against Rajasthan Royals in 2009.
This is also the best bowling figures by a MI bowler, overtaking former Sri Lankan speed star Lasith Malinga’s effort of five for 13 runs during the 2013 season against Delhi Daredevils.
The day belonged to Madhwal, who blew away the LSG batting line-up with a maiden IPL five-wicket haul as MI set up a Qualifier-2 clash against Gujarat Titans on Friday at Ahmedabad.
Madhwal struck in his very first over and from there onwards he kept on attacking the stumps consistently and was rewarded with back-to-back dismissals in the 10th over before he polished off the LSG tail with his second spell.
Only Marcus Stoinis offered any kind of real resistance with the bat as he hammered a 27-ball 40 inclusive of one six and five boundaries before he was run out in the 12th over.
Earlier, Cameron Green and Suryakumar Yadav figured in a 66-run stand for the third wicket which set the platform for MI to pose a competitive total in the end.
The Australian, who scored a century in the previous match, continued from where he left off as he used his cut shots to good effect against pace and spin.
Thereafter, Tilak Varma (26) and Nehal Wadhera (23) produced two superb cameo innings to help MI finish with an above-par score which proved more than enough to defend.
Chief scores
Mumbai Indians: 182/8 in 20 overs (Cameron Green 41, Suryakumar Yadav 33, Tilak Varma 26, Nehal Wadhera 23, Naveen-ul-Haq 4/38, Yash Thakur 3/34)
Lucknow Super Giants: 101 in 16.3 overs (Marcus Stoinis 40, Akash Madhwal 5/5).
