MS Dhoni’s run-out turning point of IPL 2019 final: Sachin Tendulkar

The IPL 2019 final between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium was poised on a knife edge. Shane Watson was batting brilliantly but Mumbai Indians had pulled things back with some quick wickets. Watson was joined by MS Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings’ finisher-par-excellence. However, on the fourth ball of the 13^th over bowled by Hardik Pandya, the match turned dramatically. Watson pulled a short ball to the leg side but Lasith Malinga fired a wild throw to Hardik who could not collect it. The ball rolled to mid-off and Dhoni decided to pinch another run. However, Ishan Kishan scored a direct hit at the bowler’s end and Mumbai Indians appealed for Dhoni’s run-out.

The third umpire took a lot of time to take his decision as he checked four different frames. One angle suggested that the bat was on the line. One angle suggested that the bat was probably in. After five minutes, the third umpire gave it out and Dhoni was given his marching orders. Watson blasted 80 but Mumbai Indians held their nerve and won by one run to win the IPL title for the fourth time.

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Speaking during the victory celebrations, Sachin Tendulkar, who is the team icon of the Mumbai Indians side stated the Dhoni run-out was vital and he also hailed Jasprit Bumrah’s performance. “The key moment was to get Dhoni run-out. Also, in patches when Bumrah came and bowled those critical overs, especially after Malinga gave that expensive over. Even after that Krunal over that went for a lot of runs, Bumrah came in very hard,” Tendulkar said.

In the 16^th over bowled by Malinga, Bravo blasted a six and Watson smashed three fours as 20 runs came in the over and momentum swung Chennai Super Kings’ way. However, Bumrah conceded just four runs but in the next over bowled by Krunal Pandya resulted in three sixes by Watson. Bumrah got the big wicket of Bravo for 15 and his over was spoiled when Quinton de Kock fumbled a chance to get the equation down to nine off the last over which Malinga defended.

Apart from Bumrah, Rahul Chahar bowled brilliantly and finished with figures of 4-0-14-1 which included the key wicket of Suresh Raina for eight. Tendulkar heaped praise on the youngster. “Rahul Chahar stands out - I shared my opinion before he played his first game and I thought he was fabulous. Sixth to the 15th over he bowled with a slip there and that was some real quality bowling in a crucial match. I think the spinners have done extremely well, and not to mention Hardik Pandya playing some critical knocks for us over the course of the tournament,” Tendulkar said.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Jasprit Bumrah and Rahul Chahar were the stars for Mumbai Indians.
• Mumbai Indians had won IPL 2017 final by one run against Rising Pune Supergiant.
• Mumbai Indians are the first team to win IPL title four times.