The 12th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) finally came to an end with Mumbai Indians (MI) clinching the title by beating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a tense final on Sunday (May 12).
MI defeated CSK by just 1-run at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad to secure the IPL 2019 trophy. By virtue of this triumph, Mumbai also became the first IPL franchise to win the lucrative event four times.
As expected the MI camp was pretty thrilled after the historic accomplishment. While skipper Rohit Sharma was out of words to express his feelings, Hardik Pandya termed the whole campaign as a dream for him.
Here are MI players’ excerpts after the match:
“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, every thing 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. 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. 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,” said the proud MI captain.
Hardik, who scored 402 runs and claimed 14 wickets from 16 matches this season, quoted: “Actually, we were told we might lose this as we had won three times already, but I said no, we have won three times and we will make it four. I think the credit goes to the coaching staff and Mahela in particular. As I said in the last game, before making my debut, I had Mumbai Indians as the wallpaper in my mobile phone, three titles in five years, I'm living my dream. The focus was on the IPL until now and it will now turn towards the World Cup.”
Jasprit Bumrah, who received Man-of-the-Match award in the final for taking 2/14 in his 4 overs, described winning the title with MI as special feeling.
“Very happy. In the finals we know that it can get close and winning the title with MI is a special feeling. Today, surprisingly, I was very calm, I wasn't panicking at all and very happy to contribute to the team's success. I only take one ball and one day at a time and if you think like that you don't feel pressure at all,” Bumrah said.
Veteran Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who defended 9 runs in the last over and produced a brute of a yorker to get rid of Shardul Thakur in the final ball, said his desire to achieve victory got him the last wicket.
“If we conceded one run, then we wouldn't win, and I wanted to win so I got the wicket - quite simple,” Malinga said.
Amidst the middle-order collapse, Kieron Pollard (41*off 25 balls) played a gem of a knock to take MI to 149/8 in the night of the final.
Sharing his feeling after the win, Pollard said: “Of course, these sort are the games we need to perform in, these are the games that people remember, scoring runs first in the final is always good, the pressure is on the chasing team. Credit to these guys, Bumrah bowled a fine spell and then Lasith did the things he can do. In 2017, when we see back at that game (against RPS in the final), we didn't put many runs and it went to the final over, this season too we had some really close games. It's the teams that do not put pressure on themselves that can become champions at the end of the tournament.”
MI’s hero in the first qualifier, Suryakumar Yadav, termed the grand finale as perfect one while Krunal Pandya showered rich praise on his younger brother, Hardik for a fabulous season.
“I think it was a very exciting game. Perfect final. We wanted this to happen at the end of the season. Most importantly the process that we follow before the tournament starts. That I feel is the key which takes the team forward and wins you titles,” Suryakumar said.
“It was too close. What an unbelievable game and to win over CSK is really special. It's a dream come true for us from our childhood days we wanted to play at a good level playing for the country and playing the IPL for such a big franchise. When we were not playing also Mumbai Indians was our dream team. To represent them and win the finals like this is great. I want to mention the way Hardik played this season is amazing. I don't need to look elsewhere to learn and improve,” Krunal remarked.
(Cricbuzz.com inputs)
