HYDERABAD – Paceman Mitchell Johnson inspired Mumbai Indians to a landmark third Indian Premier League title with crucial wickets for a single-run victory over Rising Pune Supergiant on Sunday.
Mumbai are the first team to win the IPL three times in its 10-year history.
Australian Johnson claimed three wickets, including the prized scalp of Pune skipper Steve Smith in the final over, to help Mumbai triumph despite scoring just a modest 129/8.
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah (2/26) supported Johnson (3/26), including the big wicket of former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (10), who played his seventh IPL final.
Chasing 130 to win, the Pune batsmen faltered on a slow track to end on 128/6 at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
2⃣ legends, 3⃣ @IPL titles each! 😍🏆😍🏆😍🏆 #CricketMeriJaan #IPLfinal #BELI3VE pic.twitter.com/tmLG9aFmcY
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 21, 2017
Smith’s dogged knock went in vain as Pune, who needed 11 in the final over, lost three wickets to Johnson’s left-arm pace and some sharp fielding.
Daniel Christian was run out while going for the third run to tie the game. The Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai erupted with joy after becoming the only team to win three titles after triumphs in 2013 and 2015.
CHAMPIONS - 2017 #IPLfinal pic.twitter.com/cK1N9FjHPP
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 21, 2017
Pune lost an early wicket, but Ajinkya Rahane (44) played sensible cricket in a 54-run partnership with Smith.
Pune seemed to be cruising at 98/2 in the 17th over with Smith and Dhoni at the crease, but Mumbai had other ideas in their fourth appearance in an IPL final.
Earlier Pune pace spearhead Jaydev Unadkat took an impressive of 2/19 to restrict Mumbai after they elected to bat first.
Unadkat, 25, who has played one Test and seven one-day internationals for India, remained two behind leading wicket-taker Bhuvneshwar Kumar (26) of Sunrisers Hyderabad.
What a day #championwife #championteam @mipaltan pic.twitter.com/tET32lNos2
— Jonty Rhodes (@JontyRhodes8) May 21, 2017
Sharma’s four boundaries were the only bright spot in his 22-ball 24 before losing his wicket to leg-spinner Adam Zampa.
Mumbai slipped to 79/7, but Krunal Pandya’s 47 lifted the team to respectability. He put on a fighting 50-run partnership with Johnson (13 not out).
Left-handed batsman Pandya smashed three fours and two sixes during his 38-ball blitz to help Mumbai score 48 in the last five overs.
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa and fellow Australian Christian also took two wickets each.