Mumbai Indians beat Chennai Super Kings by 1 run to lift 4th IPL trophy
Mumbai Indians won the IPL final on the very last ball for a sensational one-run victory against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday in Hyderabad. Lasith Malinga delivered the killer blow as Mumbai Indians defeated bitter rivals Chennai Super Kings to lift a record fourth Indian Premier League title in a rip-roaring final at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
With two runs needed off the final delivery, Malinga executed a slower yorker to perfection, trapping Shardul Thakur (2) right in front to send his teammates, including skipper Rohit Sharma, into delirium as Shane Watson, whose breathtaking 80 went in vain, sunk in his seat in the Chennai dugout.
Watson's 80 off 59 balls nearly took MS Dhoni's team home, but the Australian allrounder got run out in the last over as Mumbai restricted Chennai to 148/7.
Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, Kieron Pollard's unbeaten 41 off 25 deliveries had lifted Mumbai to 149/8.
In the post-match presentation, MI captain Rohit revealed what made him choose Malinga over Hardik Pandya to bowl the last over.
"Malinga is a champion, he has been doing it for many years for us. I was thinking of hardik for the final over, but I wanted to back someone who has been in that situation for us before, and Malinga has been there many times," Rohit said.
Rohit, who has now become the only player to win five IPL titles (four with MI and one with Deccan Chargers), lauded his entire team after the sensational win.
"Throughout the tournament, we played some good cricket which was the reason we qualified at the top. We planned to split the tournament into two parts, everything we did as a team, we got the rewards for them.
"We have a squad of 25 players, everyone came in at some stage and did the job; the support-staff as well. Our bowling, in particular, was excellent, at different stages in the game, the bowlers put their hands up and brought us back.
"Every bowler who got an opportunity put their hand up, took responsibility and that's why we got the rewards for it.
"I am learning in every game, every time I take the field. I have to credit the team as well, it is up to the boys to step up otherwise the captain is made to look foolish. Credit to the boys!," Rohit concluded.
