Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav delivered a fantastic performance to help Mumbai Indians post an imposing total.
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Mumbai Indians (MI) batsmen Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav stepped up when the defending champions needed heroes in a do-or-die encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), on Friday. The Mumbai-based franchise delivered a sensational performance after opting to bat having won the toss in the IPL 2021 match. Kishan provided the perfect start for MI, smashing 84 runs off 32 deliveries in an innings comprising of 11 boundaries and four sixes. Suryakumar delivered a fantastic finish down the order, accumulating 82 runs from 40 balls. The knock included thirteen fours and three maximums. MI posted a total of 235 runs for the loss of nine wickets, which is historic for many reasons.
“I think the intent was clear for us. We knew we needed to score somewhere around 250 to get them out for 70 odd. Plan was simple. Executed with the bat, now it’s time to go and bowl well. Just go in and play shots, can’t play a selfish game there. That was the thought process. Cricket is a very funny game. Anything can happen. It’s a big difference when you open and bat two down. The intent was clear. Just watch the ball and have options open and play. I can play everywhere. It was just about giving time for 2-3 balls and again watch the ball and play my game. When you go in with a positive mind anything is possible. It was holding a bit when Rashid was bowling, but overall the wicket is good,” said Kishan as quoted by Cricbuzz.
The defending champions have now recorded their highest ever total in the IPL. It also marks their greatest total ever against the Hyderabad-based franchise, as well the cash-rich league’s highest total outside India.
The SRH bowlers barring Jason Holder were simply too erratic on the night, leaking runs at regular intervals. Even Holder was guilty of being supremely expensive, but accounted for four wickets. Rashid Khan and Abhishek Sharma chipped in with two dismissals apiece. Mohammad Nabi had a fantastic outing, becoming the first-ever fielder to claim five catches in an IPL inning.
MI skipper Rohit Sharma had won the toss and opted to bat in the ongoing encounter against SRH. Rohit winning the toss was certainly a boost to the hopes of fans of the defending champions, with the team still in the running for a spot in the playoffs. However, the margin of triumph expected and the runs to be accumulated are certainly quite a challenge even for the greatest of teams. MI need to record a triumph by a margin of 171 runs. They further need to bowl out SRH for a score that is less than 100, even in case the defending champions post a mammoth total in excess of 250 runs on the board.
Rohit certainly accepted that the odds were against his side, but refused to rule out a historic triumph.
“We are going to bat first, no choice (smiles). The numbers are pretty scary, but we are going to give it all. Let’s hope we can come out and do what we love to do. It’s important to enjoy the game as well. It’s been an on and off season for us. This is a great opportunity for us to do something that’s never been done before. Our batters have’t come collectively and performed as a team in the UAE leg. But these guys have done exceedingly well for respective teams. Just can happen. Two changes. Getting Krunal back and Piyush Chawla back. No Tiwary and Jayant Yadav,” he stated as quoted by Cricbuzz.
