MI vs GT | Twitterati and Rohit in splits as Pandya's hesitant shot in the dark proves gamechanging

Today at 12:17 AM

Ashwani Kumar provided a crucial breakthrough for MI at the death against GT in Mumbai on Tuesday

Fortune favours the brave they say -- no one would agree more than Hardik Pandya after all that unfolded at the Wankhede on Tuesday. The Mumbai Indians skipper seemed to review a decision for the sake of it right at the death, only for his decision to pay dividends and shock the Paltan.

Gujarat Titans were well on-course for victory when rain stopped proceedings for the first time at the 14-over mark in the second innings, with Mumbai Indians trailing the DLS score and staring at a defeat. However, by the time rain Gods relented briefly before making a second appearance when 12 balls were remaining, the tables had completely turned and now it was the hosts that found themselves on the right side of the calculations. While some typical Jasprit Bumrah brilliance had a defining say in circumstances culminating such, it was a Hardik Pandya gamble that ultimately proved to be the difference maker.

Ashwani Kumar came on to bowl his final over of the innings in the 18th over and found himself up against Rashid Khan on the second delivery. The left-arm quick steamed in from over the wicket and fired in a leg-stump yorker to take the Afghan by surprise as the Kookaburra thumped into his leg. The Paltan immediately went up for a loud appeal but the umpire firmly shook his head no, believing the ball to be pitching outside leg. Pandya seemed to be in agreement as feeble discussions of a review brewed but just when the MI skipper seemed to have decided against going upstairs, he made a timid T signal with his hands to opt for the DRS anyway. As it turned out, the white rock had pitched just in line and Rashid had to be on his way, leaving Gujarat in dire straits. The likes of Trent Boult could not believe their luck, apparent through a bright smile and gaping eyes as soon as the ball tracking came up on the big screen, while former skipper Rohit Sharma was caught by the cameras shrieking in ecstacy upon watching the replay himself.

As if Fate had conspired against GT, the rain came hurtling back to force players off at the end of the over, with the wicket practically proving to be the difference between victory and defeat for the visitors.

Gone!

— samson (@samson8943)

Gone

WICKET! 17.2: Rashid Khan 2(3) lbw Ashwani Kumar, Gujarat Titans 126/6
— Virat (@virat518)

Interesting

I noticed during todays match that Rashid Khan’s LBW out decision didn’t get the usual zoomed-in replay like other decisions. Seems ball was pitching outside leg. It was an important moment, and it felt a bit unclear.

Views on this please.
— Tejas Parekh (@ptejas3)

Why?

Why is pitching not umpires call in Rashid Khan LBW? Is 50% of the ball inside the pitch line ?
— HarishM (@HarishViews)

Brain dead

Brain dead batting by GT batters and that LBW of Rashid is controversial, that can't pitch in line, seemed outside leg .
— Slog Sweep-189 (@SloggSweep)

Boom

Ashwin Kumar strikes again! 🎯

Rashid Khan trapped LBW — and GT are falling apart under pressure!

Mumbai tightening the noose 😤
— Adarsh Dubey (@AdarshCrkt)

IDK

idk if Rashid’s LBW was clear outside leg but at least an umpires call man , what fuckery is this ??
— Ishaan Tandel (@TandelIshaan)

Yes please

3rd umpire pls review the lbw with what happened on Rohit Sharma decision the other day. was winning it fair n square, so what was the need? Maybe more loyal than the king. rashid would have not finished the game, so why unnecessary crap. Every MI match really?
— Ajay Sharma (@ajaynvini)

Brain dead

Brain dead batting by GT batters and that LBW of Rashid is controversial, that can't pitch in line, seemed outside leg .
— Slog Sweep-189 (@SloggSweep)

Good question