Mumbai Indians ‘masters’ of IPL 2017 due to players’ ‘freedom’: Rohit Sharma - Hindustan Times
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Mumbai Indians ‘masters’ of IPL 2017 due to players’ ‘freedom’: Rohit Sharma

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By
May 22, 2017 01:28 AM IST

Mitchell Johnson and Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliance in death overs helped Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians clinch record third IPL title with a one-run win over Rising Pune Supergiant at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.

After clinching their third IPL title with a thrilling win over Rising Pune Supergiant, Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma said he always had faith in his fast bowlers to deliver in crunch situations. (RPS vs MI HIGHLIGHTS)

Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians clinched their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title with a thrilling win over Rising Pune Supergiant at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.(BCCI)
Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians clinched their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title with a thrilling win over Rising Pune Supergiant at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.(BCCI)

Steve Smith’s RPS were on course to win the IPL 2017 title but MI’s pace trio of Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Johnson choked the rivals to script a thrilling win. (RPS vs MI SCORECARD)

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“There was assistance from the pitch, so it was a matter of exploiting the conditions. When three overs were left, I had confidence in the bowlers. They have always done the job wherever they’ve played. It was about giving freedom to them because they’re the masters and they’ve done it before. I just told them to do whatever they want and set the field accordingly,” Rohit said after the thrilling final.

“I’m calm now. It was a great game of cricket. I’m sure the spectators enjoyed it. To be able to defend a score like this was a brilliant effort, I couldn’t ask for more. Whenever you’re defending a total like that, the first thing you’e to do is believe. I told the boys if we could do it against KKR (105) there was no way we couldn’t do it here. “

Bumrah said, “The way we fought was absolutely amazing. We thought we can defend, we have the bowlers.”

Johnson, who took two wickets in the last over, said: “I wasn’t thinking much. I had a clear plan, to bowl at the stumps. Pressure situations are you are playing game for. I have done that before. It’s my second time (IPL titles).”

MI mentor Sachin Tendulkar described the outcome of the low-scoring match as “simply amazing.”

“The first half wasn’t good for us. But we thought right and the performance followed. Some amazing bowling and great fielding in the pressure situations.”

Krunal Pandya, who top-scored for Mumbai Indians in the final with 47, seemed satisfied with his performance throughout the tournament.

“When the wicket were falling, I wanted to play 20 overs because I was the only batsman. I knew if I stayed till the 19th-20th over I could attack. The pitch was gripping sometimes, and skidding at others. Just wanted to make sure I’m there till the end and give the bowlers a chance. In the end, it comes down to preparation. I prepared well before the tournament and the results came. I want to thank Nitin Patel who helped me out when I got injured 5-6 games ago. It’s a dream come true to be Man of the Match in the final,” Krunal said.

(With PTI inputs)

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