Eliminator Review – Madhwal’s madness helps Mumbai progress to Ahmedabad
Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians cruised to the Qualifier 2 after emerging victorious against Lucknow Super Giants by 81 runs. The two sides squared off at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday, May 24, in the Eliminator.
Upon winning the toss, MI skipper Rohit decided to put up a total in the first innings. However, the opening duo of Ishan Kishan and Rohit failed to get too many runs in their account. They were sent packing for scores of 15 and 11, respectively.
Despite the early breakthroughs, Suryakumar Yadav and Cameron Green’s swift 66-run partnership helped get the derailed side back on track. While Green notched up a blazing 23-ball 41, Suryakumar Yadav played quite a few exquisite shots and got 33 off 20, featuring two sixes and as many fours.
Down the order, Impact Player Nehal Wadhera cracked 23 off 12 balls at strike rate of 191.66. Mumbai posted a competitive total of 182 runs after 1st innings. Meanwhile, Naveen-ul-Haq recorded a four-wicket haul whereas Yash Thakur registered a three-wicket haul in his four overs.
In response, Lucknow seemed completely out of place during the chase as they lost wickets at regular intervals. The side lost the opening duo of Kyle Mayers and Prerak Mankad for 23 runs. Despite getting some help from Marcus Stoinis, who clobbered a 27-ball 40 which included five fours and one six, the batting unit eventually fell like a pack of cards as LSG lost seven wickets for just 31 runs, including three run-outs.
Akash Madhwal ripped through the Lucknow’s batting line up as the latter hardly any response to the dominance. With this, the five-time winners stormed to the Qualifier 2, winning the clash by 81 runs.
Top performers from the match
Cameron Green: The star all-rounder smashed 41 runs off mere 23 balls which featured six boundaries and one maximum at a marvellous strike rate of 178.26. The knock came at a point when Mumbai lost their opening duo and needed their middle-order to fire. Cam Green came in to play an invaluable knock.
Akash Madhwal: The pacer was at his destructive best as he recorded a jaw-dropping spell of 5/5 in his 3.3 overs at a stunning economy of 1.42. Courtesy of his scintillating bowling performance, Mumbai asserted their dominance and cruised to the next round of the playoffs.
What’s next for both teams?
Mumbai Indians square off against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 on Friday, May 26. While, Lucknow Super Giants have been eliminated.
