New Delhi:
The 51st match of the 2019 Indian Premier League witnessed an absolute classic between Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede stadium on Thursday. Quinton de Kock’s sublime 69 helped Mumbai Indians reach 162/5 after the end of 20 overs. In response, Sunrisers Hyderabad seemed to be out of the contest having been reduced to 105/5 in the 15th over. However, Mohammad Nabi and Manish Pandey struck some lusty blows and kept Sunrisers Hyderabad in the contest. Nabi smashed 31 off 20 balls and it included two fours and two sixes but Manish Pandey was the star with a blazing fifty. When Nabi fell for 31, it seemed that Mumbai Indians would seal the win and with seven needed off the last ball, it looked like the game was up for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
However, Manish Pandey blasted a six off the last ball bowled by Hardik Pandya and the match went into the super over. Jasprit Bumrah bowled the super over and after getting Manish Pandey run-out first ball, he was carted for a six by Nabi. However, the bowler had his revenge and he bowled him two balls later to give Mumbai Indians a target of nine. Rashid Khan came to bowl for Sunrisers Hyderabad but Pandya launched a six and Pollard calmly sealed it with a six to ensure Mumbai Indians’ qualification.
The win meant Mumbai Indians became the third team after Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals to enter the playoffs. The loss for Sunrisers Hyderabad meant they had to depend on other teams to ensure their qualification path. However, the result between the two teams was the ninth tie in the history of the IPL.
This was only the second time that two matches in one season of the IPL had gone to the super over. In 2013, Sunrisers Hyderabad, who were making their debut in the IPL, played out a tie against Royal Challengers Bangalore and they emerged winners in the super over. In the same year, Royal Challengers Bangalore were part of another tied game when they defeated Delhi Daredevils in the super over.
In the 2019 edition, the game between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders ended in a tie and Delhi Capitals managed to win in the super over thanks to Kagiso Rabada’s brilliant spell. This was the second super over for Mumbai Indians in their IPL journey. In the 2017 IPL, their match against Gujarat Lions ended in a tie and it took some brilliant bowling from Bumrah to secure victory.
Out of all the active teams, only Chennai Super Kings have featured in only one tied game in the IPL while all the other teams have featured in two tied matches in this tournament. Chennai Super Kings had their game against Kings XI Punjab at Chepauk tied but Kings XI Punjab emerged victorious thanks to Mahela Jayawardene, Yuvraj Singh and some good bowling from Juan Theron.
With Mumbai Indians’ victory, only one spot is now remaining in the playoffs and Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals are still in the fray.
