Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians Edge Rising Pune Supergiant by 1 Run to Clinch Their Third IPL Title

In the end, Mumbai Indians held their nerve and won the match by just 1 run and this close victory helped them lift their third IPL title on 21st May 2017. It was a night full of drama, excitement, and emotions for MI fans. Let’s look back at one of the most thrilling IPL finals ever played.

Mumbai Indians vs Rising Pune Supergiants: Finals on 21st May 2017

On May 21, 2017, Mumbai Indians posted 129 for 8 in the Indian Premier League final against Rising Pune Supergiant at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, setting the stage for their third IPL title win and opting to bat first after winning the toss, Mumbai faced a tough challenge on a slow, low-bounce pitch that aided cutters and slower deliveries, making stroke play difficult and Pune’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Jaydev Unadkat, exploited the conditions, but Krunal Pandya’s gritty knock and a late partnership ensured Mumbai reached a defendable total.

Mumbai’s innings started poorly. Unadkat struck early, dismissing Lendl Simmons for 3, caught and bowled off an off-cutter, and Parthiv Patel for 4, caught at mid-on. His figures of 4 overs, 19 runs, and 2 wickets, with an economy of 4.75, set a tight tone and Mumbai struggled, scoring just 16 runs in the first five overs, reaching 32 for 2 by the powerplay’s end without a boundary, a sharp drop from their season powerplay average of 47 runs and the pitch’s grip forced batsmen to focus on singles, with Mumbai managing 64 across the innings.

#IPLFinal Preview by @statanalyst: @RPSupergiants vs @mipaltan – Match starts at 8 PM IST today https://t.co/IpAw3t6ORw #RPSvMI pic.twitter.com/bmeU8KpRgA

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 21, 2017

Rohit Sharma, the captain, tried to counterattack, scoring 24 off 22 balls with four fours. He targeted Lockie Ferguson, hitting three fours in a 16-run over, but Ferguson’s 2 overs cost 21 runs at an economy of 10.5. Pune’s spinners then took charge. Washington Sundar, a 17-year-old player, bowled 4 overs for 13 runs, economy 3.25, stifling Mumbai’s middle order. Adam Zampa chipped in with 2 wickets for 32 runs in 4 overs, removing Sharma, caught at deep midwicket, and Kieron Pollard, who smashed a first-ball six but fell for 7, caught at long-on. A direct-hit run-out of Ambati Rayudu, who scored 12 off 15, by Steven Smith left Mumbai reeling at 79 for 6 after 14 overs.

The innings hinged on Krunal Pandya’s 47 off 38 balls, with three fours and two sixes, at a strike rate of 123.68. His 28 runs from boundaries, including shots off Dan Christian and Unadkat, showed resilience. Pandya’s partnership with Mitchell Johnson, who remained unbeaten on 13 off 14 with a six off Zampa, added a crucial 50 runs for the eighth wicket, lifting Mumbai from 79 for 7. Christian, finishing with 2 wickets for 34 runs in 4 overs, dismissed Pandya in the final over, caught at deep midwicket, but Mumbai’s total of 129 for 8, with eight fours and five sixes, gave their bowlers a fighting chance. The run rate of 6.45 reflected Pune’s control, as Mumbai’s innings progressed from 32 for 2 in 6 overs to 56 for 3 in 10 and 79 for 6 in 14.

#OnThisDay In 2017@mipaltan defeated RPS by 1 run & became 1st team to win 3 IPL Trophies. pic.twitter.com/FO6xiufSNQ

— MI Fans Army™ (@MIFansArmy) May 21, 2023

Pune’s bowlers adapted well, with Unadkat’s early breakthroughs, Sundar’s economical spell, and Zampa’s timely wickets keeping Mumbai’s scoring in check. Christian’s 2 for 34 was less effective, leaking runs to Pandya. Mumbai’s 64 singles and cautious approach showed the pitch’s difficulty, but Pandya’s knock, supported by Johnson’s calm presence, ensured a competitive total. Mumbai’s fielding, including Pollard’s athleticism, complemented their effort, setting up a thrilling defense.

Chasing 130, Rising Pune Supergiant fell one run short, finishing at 128 for 6 in the 2017 IPL final against Mumbai Indians at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium and Despite a strong start and a 3-0 season record against Mumbai, Pune’s batsmen struggled on a slow pitch, undone by Mumbai’s tight bowling, led by Mitchell Johnson, Jasprit Bumrah, and Lasith Malinga, in a tense finish.

#OnThisDay In 2017

MI defeated RPS by 1 run & became 1st team to win 3 IPL Trophies 💥

Johnson Defended 10 runs in last over
(4 W W 1b 2 2+W)

Least runs Defended in IPL Final

MI – 129 vs RPS*
DEC – 143 vs RCB
MI – 148 vs CSK
MI – 149 vs CSK pic.twitter.com/7XkOalx7nQ

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) May 21, 2022

Pune’s chase began steadily, reaching 38 for 1 in the powerplay. Ajinkya Rahane anchored with 44 off 38 balls, hitting five fours at a strike rate of 115.78, his 20 boundary runs providing momentum. Rahul Tripathi scored 3 off 8, trapped lbw by Bumrah. The powerplay’s combined 70 runs for both teams was the third-lowest in the 2017 IPL, highlighting the pitch’s challenge. Karn Sharma bowled 4 overs for 18 runs, economy 4.5, the match’s best, slowing Pune’s progress in the middle overs.

By the 11th over, Pune were 71 for 1, with Rahane and Steven Smith, who scored 51 off 50 with two fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 102, looking comfortable. Smith’s 16 boundary runs included a key six off Bumrah. Johnson broke through, dismissing Rahane, caught by Kieron Pollard at long-on. MS Dhoni, scoring 10 off 13 at a strike rate of 76.92, fell to Bumrah, caught behind and Pune needed 33 runs off the last four overs with eight wickets in hand, but Mumbai’s bowlers turned the game.

Bumrah, with 2 wickets for 26 runs in 4 overs, economy 6.5, and Malinga, bowling 4 overs for 21 runs, economy 5.25, applied relentless pressure. Malinga’s 17th over yielded 7 runs, his yorkers nearly dismissing Smith. Bumrah’s 18th over conceded 12, including Smith’s six over cover, but Pune’s required rate climbed to 11.5. Johnson’s final over, defending 11 runs, proved decisive, finishing with 3 wickets for 26 runs. Manoj Tiwary started with a four off a slower ball but fell for 7, caught by Pollard at long-on and Smith’s dismissal, caught by Ambati Rayudu at sweeper cover off a full toss, left Pune needing 7 off 3 balls.

Washington Sundar, facing a hat-trick ball, managed a bye. Needing 4 off the last ball, Dan Christian’s flick off a short delivery led to a run-out by substitute Jagadeesha Suchith, sealing Pune’s fate at 128 for 6. Pune’s innings moved from 38 for 1 in 6 overs to 71 for 1 in 11, but their 62 singles and cautious approach, especially from Smith and Dhoni, couldn’t match the required pace and the match saw 16 fours and eight sixes total, reflecting the pitch’s difficulty.

Mumbai’s bowlers excelled, with Bumrah’s pace, Malinga’s yorkers, and Johnson’s cutters exploiting the conditions and they conceded 47 runs in the last five overs, consistent with their season trend in six games. Pune, who scored 48 or more in the last five overs in seven matches, faltered and Krunal Pandya, Man of the Match, bowled 2 overs for 22, adding pressure and Pune’s fielding, with Smith’s run-out, was sharp, but their batting, overly reliant on Rahane and Smith, lacked the late aggression needed to close the chase.