The Mumbai Indians required a Super Over to beat the Sunrisers Hyderabad in Thursday’s Indian Premier League fixture at the Wankhede Stadium.
Mumbai achieved the nine runs required in the one-over decider with three deliveries to spare. The result elevated Mumbai from third to second position in the 2019 tourment’s six-team standings – and secured a play-off berth. Hyderabad remained fourth – and are still in contention for the next stage of the competition.
Earlier, Proteas opening batsman Quinton de Kock pushed Mumbai to 162 for five. De Kock struck 69 not out from 58 deliveries, which featured a sextet of fours and duo of sixes.
The visitors evidently missed this IPL season’s leading run-scorer, David Warner, who has returned to Australia to prepare for the 2019 World Cup in the United Kingdom, while the hosts appreciated De Kock’s entry into the top five.
De Kock’s innings was not characteristically free-flowing, but largely succeeded in conditions that were difficult for batting. He cherished handy partnerships with all-rounders Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya’s brisk cameos down the order. The South African’s half-century was a substantial improvement on Sunday’s duck weathered against the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.
The Sunrisers’ response totalled 162 for six, after half-centurion Manish Pandey heaved a six off the final ball of the innings to tie the totals. Seamers Pandya and Lasith Malinga were particularly expensive during Pandey’s stay.
Friday will bring an important clash between the Kings XI Punjab, who sport the services of Proteas left-hander David Miller, and Knight Riders in Chandigarh.
Photo: SPORTZPICS for BCCI
