Johnson stars as Mumbai Indians clinch third IPL title

MITCHELL Johnson was the hero as Mumbai Indians triumphed over Rising Pune Supergiant in a thrilling Indian Premier League final on Monday morning.

The veteran fast bowler finished with three wickets as Mahela Jayawardene’s charges sealed victory on the final ball of the match.

That the Indians even managed to take the game that deep was something of a miracle in itself.

Batting first and seven down for 79, it looked like Mumbai and the Rajiv Gandhi crowd were in for an early night.

Jaydev Unadkat (2/19) had ripped through the top order with help from Adam Zampa (2/32), Dan Christian (2/34) and a couple of runouts.

But a match-saving 47 from Krunal Pandya dragged Mumbai’s total to what would prove a defensible 129.

Even that looked like being wiped out early as Ajinkya Rahane (44) and Steven Smith (51) took Pune to one for 71 inside 12 overs.

The Supergiant’s cautious, ODI-style approach left them with seven wickets in hand and 11 runs to get from the 20th over.

That task became considerably simpler when Manoj Tiwary dispatched Johnson’s first delivery to the boundary.

Then Tiwary holed out next ball, Smith – having crossed to the striker’s end – smashed one down the cover fielder’s throat, and all of a sudden Mumbai were in the game.

The new batsmen scrapped three runs off the next two balls, putting Pune within four runs of victory with one ball remaining.

But Christian could not find the rope and Washington Sundar was caught short in a desperate attempt to steal a third run and tie the game.

“To be able to defend a score like this was a brilliant effort, I couldn’t ask for more,” Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma told reporters after the game.

“When three overs were left, I had confidence in the bowlers … it was about giving freedom to them because they’re the masters and they’ve done it before.

“I just told them to do whatever they want and set the field accordingly.”

It was not to be a fairytale ending for the Supergiant, who will make way next season as Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals return from suspension.

Stephen Fleming was left to rue missed opportunities against one of the IPL’s best closing teams.

“It was a game of inches and metres,” the Pune coach said.

“Steve Smith came very close to winning it in the last over and it could have been a much different story.

“But that was the nature of the game. It was very ebb and flow on what was quite a tough wicket to score on.

“We knew that it was going to be tough. We knew their bowling attack was top class.

“We fell behind a couple of times. We lost wickets at key times.

“They just hung in and created enough pressure to get across the line but it was just a great final.

“It was full of pressure, full of mistakes and it was full of great performances.

“It was a grand finish to a good competition.”

Mumbai have now won three titles in five season to become the most successful team in the IPL’s 10-year history.

Surrey top early betting for 2017 NatWest T20 Blast

Next up on the top-flight Twenty20 domestic circuit is the UK’s T20 Blast, which kicks off July 7, 2017.

Online bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au has Surrey pegged as the early favourites on +600 outright odds.

The addition of 20-over specialists such as Kevin Pietersen and Moises Henriques is expected to boost a side that missed the finals last season.

Arch-rivals Middlesex share the second line of betting at +800 at Hampshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire.

T20 Blast 2017 outright betting

+600 – Surrey

+800 – Hampshire, Lancashire, Middlesex, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire

+1400 – Birmingham Bears, Northamptonshire

+1600 – Essex, Kent, Somerset, Sussex

+2000 – Durham, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire

+2500 – Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Worcestershire

Market provided at Sportsbet