In the last over of an IPL 2024 encounter at the PCA Stadium in Mullanpur between the Mumbai Indians and the Punjab Kings, Rohit Sharma assumed captaincy. He was unable to resist. That was the circumstances. In the end, PBKS needed to score 12 runs in the last over while holding one wicket. Remember that Kagiso Rabada and Harshal Patel are significantly superior than what you would often equate with a No. 10 or 11. Rabada’s hook shot for six to clear the air on the last delivery of the 19th over, which was delivered by Hardik Pandya, would have eliminated any doubts if there had been any.
For the last over, MI captain Hardik had the uncapped Indian bowler Akash Madhwal and the West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd as his alternatives. Hardik chose to have trust in the youthful right-arm pacer despite the fact that the latter had gone for 44 in his three overs. Before the over began, he was observed speaking with Madhwal for a considerable amount of time in order to correct the field. That’s where Rohit became involved.
It seemed like the Indian skipper was unhappy with the field placements. He bolted toward the direction of Madhwal and Hardik. The quick bowler, who has always praised Rohit’s leadership, started by asking the former captain for advice right away. The three made a number of hand motions, and in the end, it appeared like they chose the one Rohit felt would be most appropriate in that circumstance.
PBKS vs MI IPL match: Rohit Sharma, Akash Madhwal, and Hardik Pandya set field in the last over
Due to their sluggish over rate, MI was only permitted four fielders beyond the 30-year circle in the final instead of the usual five, which made their task of creating a field much more difficult.
Akash Madhwal talking to Rohit Sharma. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya be like "mai captain hu.. mujhe se bhi koi poochh lo.." https://t.co/qnsKpPZsZn
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) April 19, 2024Jasprit Bumrah and goalie Ishan Kishan were spotted debating the kind of field they need to have at the opposite end while all of this was going on. MI appeared a little alarmed. They were justified in every way. After taking the first six PBKS wickets for just 77, they reduced them to 111/7 with danger man Shashank Singh going back after scoring a solid 41 off 25. This shouldn’t have come to this.
For the MI bowlers, however, Ashutosh Sharma—the second breakout PBKS player of the season—came as an unexpected question.In the final four overs, the right-hander struck seven sixes to reduce the score to 28. In order to keep MI in the game and give up just three runs in the 17th over, Bumrah had to bowl with all of his might.
The IPL is ruled by batters
However, Ashutosh remained in place. MI knew that if Ashutosh batted through, this match would not go to the last over after Bumrah was knocked out. Gerald Coetzee received the ball from Hardik. As he has done so frequently this season, the large South African delivered the goods. In the first delivery of the eighteenth over, he claimed the coveted scalp of Ashutosh, capping an incredible performance of 61 off 28 balls.
But 12 runs were doable in the last over with Rabada and Harshal remaining. Madhwal began the last over with a wide outside the off stump following his conversation with Rohit and Hardik about the kind of field he desired. It was an obvious strategy. Nothing was going to happen to Rabada in his arc.
That was verified by the subsequent ball. Rabada pushed the ball into the covers with yet another wide yorker, hoping to keep striking with a second one. But the task was more than welcome for the seasoned Mohammad Nabi. In order to catch Rabada short of his crease, keeper Kishan ripped off the bails after he executed a bullet throw from the cover boundary. MI won nine runs to win the game.
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