IPL 2023: "Rohit asked me to start with hard-length balls," says MI's Akash Madhwal after win over GT
May 13, 2023
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 13 : Following the 27-run win over Gujarat Titans (GT) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match, Mumbai Indians (MI) pacer Akash Madhwal said that his skipper Rohit Sharma asked him to start off with some hard length balls and concentrate on accuracy.
Rashid Khan's valiant knock of 79 (32) was insufficient as Mumbai Indians registered a 27-run victory against Gujarat Titans at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday.
"I have bowled previously in the dew, so it wasn't difficult, we have practiced for such things. Rohit asked me to start with hard-length balls and then concentrate on accuracy. He always does that in the nets as well (on Suryakumar Yadav), we are happy to be in the same team as him. I am just looking to continue working hard on my skills. I want to work harder and continue doing well in the next few matches," said Madhwal in a post-match presentation.
Put to bat first by GT, MI put up 218/5 on the board in their 20 overs. Openers Ishan Kishan (31 off 20 balls) and skipper Rohit Sharma (29 off 18 balls) provided a quick start with a quick 61-run opening stand.
However, Rashid Khan removed the openers and Nehal Wadhera (15) to reduce MI to 88/3. From there, it was a 'Suryakukar Yadav show'. He put on a 65-run stand for the fourth wicket with Vishnu Vinod (30 off 20 balls). Suryakumar ended up scoring his maiden IPL century, a knock of 103* in 49 balls with 11 fours and six sixes.
Rashid Khan (4/30) was the pick of the bowlers for GT. Mohit Sharma got a wicket as well.
Chasing 219, GT lost wickets right from the start. They were reduced to 55/5, despite a knock of 29 runs from Vijay Shankar. But a partnership of 45 runs between David Miller (41 in 26 balls) and Rahul Tewatia (14 in 13 balls) helped GT reach three figures.
Following their dismissal, it was Rashid Khan who kept the fight going. Even if the side looked out of the contest, his sixes helped in lowering the margin and did not let his side's net run rate take a hit.
The Afghan all-rounder slammed 79* in just 32 balls, consisting of three fours and 10 sixes. He put on an 88-run stand for the ninth wicket with Alzarri Joseph (7*) to take GT to 191/8 in their 20 overs. MI won the match by 27 runs.
Akash Madhwal (3/31) was the pick of the bowlers for MI. Piyush Chawla (2/36) also continued his impressive run in IPL 2023. Jason Behrendorff got a wicket as well.
Suryakumar won the 'Man of the Match' award for his match-winning century.
With this win, MI is in the third position in the points table with seven wins and five losses. They have a total of 14 points. GT is still at the top with eight wins and four losses. They have a total of 16 points.
