Mumbai Indians (MI), who are on a 'Mission Salvage' recorded their back-to-back wins as Daniel Sams pulled off a stunning last over to defend nine runs to help Rohit Sharma-led side clinch a five-run victory over table-toppers Gujarat Titans (GT) at Brabourne stadium on Friday (May 6).
GT were off to a great start while chasing MI's 178-run target as they rode on Wriddhiman Saha's 55 off 40 and Shubman Gill's 52 off 36, who together added 106 runs in 12.1 overs. But Murugan Ashwin's double strike in the 13th over saw both Saha and Gill going back to pavilion.
But GT were still in the game with skipper Hardik Pandya on the crease. Sai Sudarshan got hit wicket and Pandya and Rahul Tewatia got run out to keep MI's hopes afloat.
Despite David Miller at the crease, Daniel Sams kept changing the pace as GT needed nine runs in the final over and the South African couldn't connect and eventually Gujarat conceded to MI by five runs.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan produced the early fireworks while Tim David provided the late flourish as MI posted 177/6 against GT.
Invited to bat, Rohit (43 off 28 balls) and Ishan Kishan (45 off 29 balls) gave Mumbai a rollicking start but the five-time champions lost three quick wickets before David (44 not out off 21 balls) lifted the team to a competitive total.
Rashid Khan was the most successful bowler for the Titans with his two wickets for 24, while Pradeep Sangwan and Lockie Ferguson got one each. Alzarri Joseph also took a wicket but he bled 41 runs in his four overs.
After a series of low scores, Rohit seemed to be in good touch as he took the early initiative, dominating the proceedings with his strokeplay as Kishan played the second fiddle The MI skipper was particularly harsh on Alzarri Joseph as he smashed the bowler for four boundaries and a six, while Kishan joined the party in the fifth over, slamming Rashid Khan for a couple of fours to bring up their 50-run partnership.
Rohit then hit Lockie Ferguson for a four as MI posted 63 for no loss in the powerplay.
Rashid produced the breakthrough in the eighth over, removing the dangerous Rohit, who was trapped in front while looking to play a reverse shot.
Kishan then took over, dancing down the pitch to send Rahul Tewatia over mid-wicket.
Suryakumar Yadav produced his trademark whip for a maximum but perished in his next attempt off Pradeep Sangwan.
Back into the attack, Joseph then struck with a slower delivery which Kishan ended up sending to Rashid at mid-wicket as MI slipped to 111 for 3 in 12 overs.
Kieron Pollard lived dangerously with Sangwan and Ferguson bowling two quiet overs and was eventually cleaned up by Rashid, who set up the West Indian with two googlies.
Tilak Verma (21) and Tim David then tried to put together a partnership with the latter launching Mohammed Shami for two fours at mid-off and long leg respectively.
David next sent one over Joseph's head for his first maximum before depositing a no-ball from Ferguson for another six in the 19th over.
Varma was run-out with Hardik Pandya producing a direct throw, while Daniel Sams too perished with a second-ball duck.
However, David smacked Shami for two maximums in the last over to take the team past 170-run mark.
