27 May,2014 08:26 AM IST | | A Correspondent
After Mumbai franchise chased down 190 runs in only 14.4 overs to advance to the IPL-7 playoffs, here's a look at the men who made this feat possible:
MI team owner Neeta Ambani hugs Corey Anderson after the game
Corey Anderson (95 runs, 44 balls, 9x4, 6x6, SR 250.9)
MI team owner Neeta Ambani hugs Corey Anderson after the game
The Kiwi all-rounder strode away with a major share of the plaudits, and deservedly so for his staggering 44-ball 95 not out. He came in at the fall of opener Lendl Simmons' wicket and hit Shane Watson for a boundary and a six off consecutive deliveries at the start of the third over. Anderson, who had endured an otherwise ordinary season, never looked back and played a knock that will be remembered for a very long time. The important thing that went Anderson's way was that he kept finding the boundaries and sixes regularly, thereby relieving a lot of pressure.
Lendl Simmons (12 runs, 8 balls, 3x4, SR 150)
Simmons is the only centurion in IPL-7 and if MI were to make a fist of the chase, it was important he delivered at the top of the order. The opener got off to a flier, cracking three boundaries off James Faulkner in the first over, but got out on the fifth ball of the second over bowled by Dhawal Kulkarni.
Mike Hussey (22 runs, 11 balls, 1x4, 2x6, SR 200)
Mr Cricket was dropped from the XI after his initial struggles in the competition, but stormed back to form against the same opponents, hitting 56 on May 19 in Ahmedabad. Thereafter, his contributions have spoken for themselves. Hussey was belligerent on Sunday and ensured that the run rate didn't fall despite Lendl's early exit.
Kieron Pollard (7 runs, 3 balls, 1x6, SR 233.3)
Pollard has been one of MI's key players whenever they have won a game with their backs to the wall. He hit the second ball he faced off Kevon Cooper for a six, but got out off the next delivery when Brad Hodge had him caught at square-leg. The important thing here was the strike rate he notched up!
Rohit Sharma (16 runs, 11 balls, 1x4, 1x6, SR 145.45)
The captain kept his cool, allowing Anderson to send the opponents on a leather hunt but at the same time, ensured MI didn't have the foot off the accelerator. He struck a boundary and a six before he fell to Dhawal Kulkarni.
Ambati Rayudu (30 runs, 10 balls, 5x4, 1x6, SR 300)
Rayudu's brilliant hitting was something that took most fans by surprise. He has been one of MI's most reliable players over the past few years, but his reputation was built around his consistency. Little did anyone expect him to put together 81 runs in Anderson's company off only 31 balls. Critically, he hit 30 off only 10 balls!
Aditya Tare (6 runs, 1 ball, 1x6, SR 600)
Wicketkeeper Tare will cherish the six he hit off James Faulkner to light up the Wankhede on a humid evening, but what stunned the fans there was the utter disdain he displayed against someone like James Faulkner who was groomed by the Royals as a death specialist.
