Rohit Sharma's Love Affair With Eden Gardens Continues - It's Fifty off 25 Balls This Time
Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians' charge against MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings as they chased their second IPL title on Sunday.
- Prakash Govindasreenivasan
- Updated: May 24, 2015 09:12 PM IST
Rohit Sharma's love affair with the iconic Eden Gardens resumed as he powered Mumbai Indians to an explosive start in the blockbuster IPL 2015 final against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. Rohit brought up his 24th fifty off just 25 balls. His innings laced with six fours and two sixes.(Scorecard | Blog)
The elegant Indian opener had slammed a record-shattering 264 against Sri Lanka at the Eden last year. Earlier this season, Rohit smashed a 65-ball 98 against the Kolkata Knight Riders.
After being put in to bat by Dhoni, Mumbai were off to a stuttering start as Parthiv Patel was run out in the first over - thanks to a sensational effort from Faf du Plessis.
Rohit joined Lendl Simmons and the duo took the attack to the opposition straightaway. Rohit began the carnage, smashing 16 runs off Mohit Sharma's over and Simmons joined the party soon after, racing away to a 35-ball half-century. This was Simmons' sixth fifty of the season, second-most after Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner, who has scored seven.
Rohit soon followed suit with a 25-ball half-century, his 24th overall in the tournament. From 1/1 in the first over, this Mumbai pair pulled their side out of misery with a 119-run stand off just 55 balls. Rohit fell after reaching his fifty while Simmons perished on 68. When they departed off successive deliveries, Mumbai were on 120/3 in 12.1 overs.