MUMBAI Indians skipper Rohit Sharma made another match-winning contribution yesterday, striking 85 not out in victory over the Supergiants.Sharma’s superb Indian Premier League form continued as Mumbai Indians moved up to second in the table with an eight-wicket thrashing of Rising Pune Supergiants on Sunday.
The Supergiants had looked set to post an imposing total when Saurabh Tiwary (57) and Australia skipper Steve Smith (45) took advantage of early let-offs to share 84 for the second wicket in quick time.
However, Mumbai’s bowlers – led by Jasprit Bumrah (3-29) – hit back brilliantly to limit their opponents to 159-5 and skipper Rohit made light work of the chase by striking 85 not out from 60 deliveries.
Rohit has now passed 60 five times in nine innings this season, including four of his last five, with his latest knock coming three days after he compiled an unbeaten 68 in victory over Kolkata Knight Riders.
Pune will rue their failure to capitalise on the efforts of Tiwary and Smith, who were put down on four and one respectively following Ajinkya Rahane’s early departure for four.
An inside edge from Smith, whose aggressive innings spanned just 23 balls, provided a difficult chance for wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel that was spurned, but Bumrah was guilty of a regulation miss at mid-on when he gave Tiwary a reprieve in the next over.
Bumrah soon atoned for his lapse in the field, removing both set batsmen and his national captain, MS Dhoni (24), as Mumbai regained the initiative.
Harbhajan Singh (1-25) and Mitchell McClenaghan (1-27) also proved economical, before Rohit took apart the Supergiants attack with a typically elegant display.
The required run-rate was always under control as Parthiv (21), Ambati Rayudu (22) and Jos Buttler (27 not out) played supporting roles.
Rohit finished things off in style, slog-sweeping Murugan Ashwin for his third six to complete victory with nine balls unused.(Sportsmax.com)