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Mumbai Indians (MI) faltered in the run chase of 241 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at home on April 12. Sherfane Rutherford got MI close to the target, reducing the impact of defeat to their net run rate (NRR). But, Rutherford did not unleash carnage until the 18th over. After the defeat, he blamed Rasikh Salam Dar’s injury for halting his momentum. However, the Caribbean batter intends to learn from his mistakes and control the controllables.
“I think that was the toughest part for me. Every time Rasikh bowled, he would take five minutes, bowl, take five minutes (again). As a batter, you need momentum. It does keep slowing up the game. It's something I can't control and just learn from it. Hopefully, next time I'll try and stay ahead of the game,” Rutherford said in the post-match press conference.
India’s legendary cricketer-turned-commentator Sunil Gavaskar also weighed in on the matter of interruptions due to Rasikh’s cramps.
“Just go off the field, get treatment, and then come back. Whatever it is, the remaining deliveries should be bowled by another bowler. But again, now this is what—the third time the physio has come in. Are we going to see the same thing over and over again?” he said in the commentary box.
Rasikh called off the field after multiple interruptions
The incident took place in the 16th over. Rasikh suffered a cramp before the bowling the first ball of the 16th over. After getting medical attention, he was hit for a six off the first ball. Then, the physio was called back to the field. On the next ball, Rutherford managed a single. Dar struggled again and then dismissed Naman Dhir off next delivery. Mitchell Santner got off the strike straightaway and Dar bowled a dot delivery to Rutherford before going down on the ground again.
The interruptions led to the fourth umpire having a word with RCB head coach Andy Flower in the dugout. Eventually, the pacer went off the field. Romario Shepherd completed his over. Shepherd got the wicket of Rutherford first ball but it turned out to be an illegitimate delivery.
In the 18th over, Rutherford smashed Jacob Duffy for three sixes. After Bhuvneshwar Kumar's economical penultimate over, Rutherford hammered Shepherd for four sixes in the final over.
Rutherford hits 9 sixes
Rutherford remained unbeaten for a 31-ball 71, his maiden IPL half-century. The southpaw hit nine sixes and a four during his stay at the crease. He hit joint second-most sixes in an unsuccessful run chase.
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