IPL 7: How Mumbai Indians Scripted a Spectacular Turnaround

After a disastrous first leg in the UAE, not many expected Mumbai Indians to reach the playoffs. The Mumbai skipper, who lifted both the IPL and the Champions League trophies last year, conceded that five straight defeats was very difficult to digest at the press conference on the eve of their virtual quarterfinal tie against the Rajasthan Royals. (Rohit Sharma credits Mumbai Indians' consistency for miraculous turnaround) 

After five back-to-back losses, they started their Indian campaign with a win against free-scoring Kings XI Punjab. This win gave them the much-needed confidence and self-belief that they could still make a comeback in the tournament after which they went on to win seven out of their remaining nine fixtures. (This incredible win is for our fans: Rohit Sharma)

When they took the field against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday , the equation was straightforward for them. They had to chase down the target posted by Rajasthan Royals (190) within 14.3 overs to qualify for the playoffs  with a better net run rate. It was a day Wankhede had to brace themselves for a match of epic proportions. (MI vs RR: As it Happened)

Things started on a good note for Rohit Sharma as he called the toss right and asked Rajasthan to bat first . Rajasthan made most of the opportunity and posted Mumbai an uphill task of 190 runs for victory.  (Anderson eyes glory with Mumbai Indians)

Set to chase 190, Michael Hussey and Lendl Simmons started the run-chase but Simmons was out early with the score on 19. Hussey looked good until he was castled by Cooper on 22 with scoreboard showing 53/2. Mumbai lost Pollard and Rohit Sharma within the next 50 runs.With Mumbai needing more than 100 runs in the last 5 overs,  Corey Anderson and Ambati Rayadu came to the wicket.

Till this point, Corey Anderson was yet to display his true potential in his maiden IPL tournament. Rajasthan, too, were unaware of what was going to hit them next. Anderson and Rayadu took the attack to the Rajasthan bowlers, smashing them all around the Wankhede stadium. There was a flurry of boundaries as they put together a partnership of  81 runs to take Mumbai Indians just one hit away from victory when Ambati Rayudu was unfortunately run-out scoring 30 of 10 balls. Anderson, by then, scored 95 of 44 balls with 9 fours and 6 sixes.

With the scores tied in 14.3 overs, Aditya Tare walked out to bat amidst a bit of confusion as far as the equation was concerned. Needing to score either a four or a six off the next ball, Tare coolly smashed the friendly fulltoss from James Faulkner over the square leg boundary to seal the match. Rajasthan Royals, who needed just one win in their last two games, were dramatically knocked out by a resurgent Mumbai Indians who made a stellar comeback to win, perhaps, the best game of the season and give themselves a chance to defend their title.