Mumbai Indians has the last laugh

Poised on the precipice, Mumbai Indians, powered by Mitchell Johnson’s stupendous bowling (three for 26) at the death, sneaked home to its third title in the Indian Premier League at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday night.

Rising Pune Supergiant, shepherded by skipper Steve Smith’s masterly 51, requiring 11 off the last over, fell a run short in what could be its last hurrah, unless the championship is expanded to 10 teams in the next season.

For Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma, he was party to a fourth title, three as captain and earlier with the now-defunct Deccan Chargers. Whirling arms, wiles and guiles, Jasprit Bumrah’s bootlace bombs swung things Mumbai’s way. He drew blood first, rapping Rahul Tripathi on the pads. On his second spell, he got M.S. Dhoni, promoted to two-down, caught behind by Parthiv Patel, a blow that perhaps impacted Pune more than it would have wished.

Ajinkya Rahane (44, 5x4) nearly perished on 14, lobbing Lasith Malinga to Krunal Pandya, who spilt the chance at cover. Off the next over, the stylish striker sent the Sri Lankan slinger to the fence, this time with a full-blooded hit.

With Pune in charge for most of the chase, the reprieve for Rahane could have proved costly, the placid-faced Pune batsman despatching Johnson to the Mumbai dugout, as if to rub it in.

Bringing right knee down to the turf, he swept Pandya to long-leg. His captain Steve Smith was content playing second fiddle. Rahane departed six short of a half-century, picked up by long-on, Kieron Pollard, clutching the catch inches above the grass.