Anderson completes stunning chase as Mumbai edge into playoffs

May 25, 2014

Mumbai Indians chose to field in their must-win game against Rajasthan Royals and made an early breakthrough as a diving catch from Kieron Pollard sent Shane Watson back for 8•BCCI

Karun Nair provided ample support at the other end, scoring 50 from just 27 balls•BCCI

James Faulkner thumped three sixes during a quick 23 to add a late surge•BCCI

Corey Anderson began plundering the big hits right from the off, as Mumbai began chipping away at the target•BCCI

Anderson was at his authoritative best, and whacked nine fours and six sixes during a 44-ball 95 as the match headed towards a tense finish•BCCI

After much deliberation and calculations, it emerged that Mumbai could still go through if they managed a boundary of the next ball, and Aditya Tare duly completed the ultimate jailbreak by whacking Faulkner over square leg for six, sparking scenes of delirium at the Wankhede stadium•BCCI

Sanju Samson was aggressive from the off, and counterattacked with seven fours and three sixes•BCCI

The pair added 100 for the second wicket off just 57 deliveries•BCCI

He put up a 49-run stand with Brad Hodge, who made 29 not out, as Royals finished at 189•BCCI

But when Kevon Cooper accounted for both Michael Hussey and Pollard in the fifth over, Royals seemed to have one foot in the playoffs•BCCI

The match turned on its head once Shane Watson leaked 18 runs off his second over, as Mumbai managed to bring the equation down to nine off three to go through. Both teams held elaborate discussions to assess the situation•BCCI

It was a stunning escape from Mumbai, who had seemed down and out after losing their first five games, while Royals will be left pondering how they let a playoff berth slip away from their hands as they did•BCCI

However, Mumbai fought back with two quick wickets. Nair was dismissed in the last ball of the 15th over and three balls later, Shreyas Gopal removed Samson for a 47-ball 74•BCCI

Mumbai Indians needed to chase the daunting total in just 87 deliveries to qualify for the playoffs and their task was made even difficult after Lendl Simmons holed out to Faulkner in the second over•BCCI

Mumbai did not give up, and rallied behind a 81-run stand between Anderson and Ambati Rayudu to give them hope•BCCI

Rayudu hit Faulkner for six to put Mumbai within two runs of qualifying, but he was run-out off the next ball attempting a second run, with the scores level. Confusion ensued, as the Royals dugout began celebrating thinking they had gone through, while Rayudu collapsed into tears•BCCI