The last league match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was expected to be a thrilling game after the 55 matches. It was a game between the top-placed Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), with the latter having a do-or-die game. For the MI fanatics, it was a delightful sight when Rohit Sharma came out to toss but he lost it and MI was asked bat first by the SRH skipper, David Warner.
Rohit failed to do much with the bat as he chipped the ball straight to Warner off Sandeep Sharma. It was a two-paced track in Sharjah and utilizing it well, Sharma cleaned up Quinton de Kock (25 from 13). Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan continued to play the waiting game as Rashid Khan tied them up from one end. Making a partnership of 42 runs for the third wicket, the partnership was broken in the 11th over, when Yadav attempted to punch one from Shahbaz Nadeem, only to see Wriddhiman Saha whip the bails off.
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From a decent position of 81/2, MI came down to 82/5 in no time as Nadeem’s slower one entrapped Krunal, who lobbed it straight to Williamson at short midwicket, whereas Rashid Khan managed to scalp the wicket of Saurabh Tiwary on his wrong’un, and his edge was grabbed by Saha. A late dash from Kieron Pollard – who managed to smash four sixes and a couple of boundaries during his 41-run blinder – helped MI to reach a decent score of 149.
In what turned out to be a one-sided game, the SRH openers, David Warner and Wriddhiman Saha aced with ease. After a watchful start, the duo launched an all-out attack at the MI bowlers with some breath-taking strokes and made the MI’s bowling unit searching for answers.
Warner and Saha added 56 runs in the first six overs but did not get cautious, unlike the past. They carried forward the momentum, both the batsmen took their partnership to 88 in 10 overs, thereby bringing the required run rate below 6. Both the strikers played sensibly, ensured to rotate the strike, did not miss the loose balls, as they also kept on smashing boundaries at regular intervals.
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None of the MI bowlers managed to put any trouble to the SRH openers, and, banking on their exceptional start, SRH went on to thrash MI by 10 wickets. It was a spectacular performance by the Orange Army in all the aspects of the match. The win has cemented their much-deserved spot in the slot in the playoff, and they will meet Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eliminator.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to SRH’s dominating win:
A 10-wicket win over #MumbaiIndians as @SunRisers Qualify for #Dream11IPL 2020 Playoffs. pic.twitter.com/j1Ib16fw6b
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) November 3, 2020
They started, they finished 🧡🧡 https://t.co/UkouWamIDx
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) November 3, 2020
Hurts a little less now…well played @SunRisers #SRHvMI | #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/Nzf6OWl889
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) November 3, 2020
That’s comprehensive. So, #SRH has beaten #DelhiCapitals #PlayBold and #Mi in the last three games. The three teams that have qualified along with them….
While we were talking about #KXIP turning it around, #SRH has gone a step further. Finished on #3. 👏👏— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 3, 2020
The change of jony Bairstow plugged two holes for #SRH . Batting at the top and an foreign experienced all-rounder. Master stroke if you ask me #IPL2020
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) November 3, 2020
Chalk and cheese was the difference when both the teams played on this pitch at Sharjah! congrats @SunRisers on playing well and qualifying. #sandeepsharma #shahbaznadeem #holder #warner #saha
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 3, 2020
.@KKRiders @rajasthanroyals @ChennaiIPL @lionsdenkxip #MIvSRH #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/FodaEyc2at
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 3, 2020
Warner and #SRH peaking at the right time ,Batting ,Captaincy & Management all inclusive #IPL2020 #SRHvsMI
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) November 3, 2020
Impressed with @Wriddhipops batting tonight!
An innings comprising of clever shots and intent #SRHvMI
— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349) November 3, 2020
