IPL 2017: Rising Pune Supergiant through to final after hat-trick of wins over Mumbai Indians

Anyway, that's it from us for now.

Hope you enjoyed our live coverage.

Do join us for the Eliminator between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad tomorrow night.

Good night!

Two key contributions helped RPS win tonight:

Firstly, Dhoni's knock at the end of the first innings. Guided his team to a respectable total, and gave them the much-needed momentum going into the second innings.

Secondly, Washington Sundar's three wickets at the top of MI's innings. Broke the back of the hosts, set the tone for the remainder of the match.

RPS become the second team to beat MI three times in the same season.

Chennai Super Kings were the first team to accomplish that feat.

Common factor in both instances - MS Dhoni.

And it's over!

RPS win by 20 runs at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.

The Steve Smith-led side become the first team to reach the final of IPL 2017.

WICKET!

McClenaghan swings, edge goes straight to Unadkat at short-third.

Shardul picks up his third wicket.

Final over now.

30 runs needed.

McClenaghan gets a reprieve as Rahul Tripathi drops a sitter at the boundary.

Bumrah pulls one well for six.

124/8 from 18 overs.

RPS bowlers have got their tactic spot-on.

Bowling majority of slower-balls.

With hardly any dew at the moment, the ball is gripping nicely on to the surface.

WICKET!

Unadkat bowls another cutter, Karn gets a top-edge, Dhoni takes a fine catch after covering some ground.

MI - 111/8 after 18 overs.

Tidy over from Christian, just four from it.

RPS cruising to victory now.

MI - 107/7 from 16 overs.

Shardul picks up another one!

The set batsman Parthiv walks back to the pavilion after miscuing one to long-off.

Brilliant bowling from the Mumbaikar in front of his home crowd. Bowls multiple slower balls to fox the batsman.

Karn Sharma is the new man at the crease.

MI - 103/7 from 15 overs.

WICKET!

Pandya perishes after misreading a slower-ball from Shardul.

Christian takes a simple catch at long-off.

Looks like RPS have this game in the bag.

50 for Parthiv!

The veteran has shown his class tonight.

Started briskly, but slowed down once the wickets at the other end started falling.

Much rests on his shoulders now.

Dropped chance!

Shardul misjudges one at the mid-wicket boundary.

Krunal gets a reprieve, Christian is distraught.

MI - 98/5 from 14 overs.

Clever shot from Krunal, uses Christian's pace to guide the ball past short-third for a boundary.

Washington Sundar, has been phenomenal this evening. He continues to get turn. Bowling just beyond good length. 

Patel is having a tough time to take him on!  Just four runs of the over.

Sundar finishes with his best figures in T20 cricket. 16/3.

MI- 85/5 Overs- 13

A Pandya replaces another Pandya! Krunal Pandya into the middle!

Another clean over from Lockie Ferguson. He has been fantastic this evening. Bowling in the right areas. Not giving much room. Just 21 from his three overs!

MI- 81/5 Overs- 12

OUT!!! Hardik Pandya lofts that one, he was trying mid-off but could not place it to his liking. Gets caught at long-on! Goes for 14 of 10 balls!

MI-75/4 

Leading edge!! But lands safely. Just short of at the fielder at cover!

Fantastic over from Daniel Christan!! Just allowing singles with no room on offer!

Just four from it! 

MI- 75/4 Overs- 11

SIX!!! Second ball of the over and Pandya sends Zampa into the stands. 79m long.

Pressure from the first ball! 

Good come back just two singles after the six! 

MI- 71/4 Overs- 10

Shardul Thakur got hit for two fours. He has gone for 23 in his two overs. Pandya looking good. Must play a patient long innings. 

MI- 62/4 Overs- 9

Sundar picks up his third!

This time it's Pollard. The West Indian flicks a fast one straight to Steve Smith at mid-wicket.

What a spell from the young spinner!

Hardik Pandya is the new man at the crease.

MI in tatters at 51/4 from 8 overs.

Four from Pollard off the last ball of Ferguson's second over.

MI - 48/3 from 7 overs.

A cabal of Kiwi commentators.
They're going off!!#Qualifier1 #MIvRPS pic.twitter.com/8T4bnLxcVP

— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) May 16, 2017

#MIvRPS Umpires seems to have special hatred for Mumbai Indians, @BCCI should have experienced international umpires for playoffs

— Amey P (@amey1344) May 16, 2017

Another one goes!

Ambati Rayudu falls for a duck after pulling Sundar straight to Steve Smith at mid-wicket.

Kieron Pollard is the new man.

Brilliant over from Sundar - just one run and two wickets.

MI in a huge spot of bother at 42/3 from 6 overs.

WICKET!

Sundar traps Rohit in front.

The MI captain tries to play a sweep off his second ball, doesn't get it right.

He was unlucky, though, as he had a big inside edge.

WICKET!

Lendl Simmons gets out in the worst possible way.

Parthiv slams one straight back, Shardul bends quickly and gets his fingertips on the ball before it crashes into the stumps.

Simmons, who's taken a few steps out of the popping crease, doesn't even wait for the umpire's decision and walks off right away.

Is this the stroke of luck RPS needed?

Skipper Rohit walks out to the middle.

Meanwhile, Parthiv flicks the last ball of the over past Short Fine-leg for four. Expensive start for Shardul, he goes for 12 off his first.

MI - 41/1 from 5 overs.

Parthiv Patel greets Shardul Thakur with a four over Covers off his first ball.

Third six for Parthiv!

Pulls one that was slightly short of good-length from Lockie Ferguson.

The Kiwi all-rounder starts poorly, conceding 10 runs from his first over with two wides.

MI - 29/0 after 4 overs.

Jaydev Unadkat bowls a tight first over for RPS, giving away just one run.

Washington Sundar starts the second over well too, until Parthiv Patel flicks him for an outrageous six.

Parthiv then pulls Unadkat's first ball in the next over for six.

The diminutive keeper-batsman means business tonight!

MI are 19 for no loss after 3 overs.

Mahi Maar Raha Hai. #Wankhade #MIvRPS
Photo Courtesy : BCCI / IPL pic.twitter.com/aerZT2lrNM

— Prabhu  (@Cricprabhu) May 16, 2017

Wankhede is in for a real treat! 
An #MSDhoni special here! #RangWahiJungNayi #MIvRPS

— RisingPuneSupergiant (@RPSupergiants) May 16, 2017

Someone is on !

— Archana Vijaya (@archanavijaya) May 16, 2017

Good power hitting by @msdhoni at the end. Ensured a competitive score for @RPSupergiants #MIvRPS #ipl #IPL2017

— R P Singh (@RpSingh99) May 16, 2017

The batsman short hasn't hurt @RPSupergiants that much. Can benefit from the extra bowler now. This is a top comeback.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 16, 2017

धोनी का बल्ला एक बार फिर घूमा
वानखेड़े एक बार फिर झूमा... #MIvRPS #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 16, 2017

#IPL VIDEO: ClasSIX MSD all the way https://t.co/mL8PjoNTYq - @msdhoni @RPSupergiants #MIvRPS

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 16, 2017

So MI need 163 to win, at 8.15 rpo.

Will it be another memorable chase by the hosts in their fortress? Or will RPS make it a hat-trick of victories over MI in IPL 2017?

Stay tuned with us to find out. We will be back after a short break!

Great comeback from Bumrah.

Two dot balls from the last two balls.

RPS finish at 162/4 from their 20 overs.

They got 41 from the last two overs, the most by any team in IPL 2017.

Another SIX!

This is vintage stuff from Mahi!

​When MSD is batting at the Wankhede, and Mahela Jayawardene is in the opposition, there are bound to be fireworks.

SIX!

Dhoni hits Bumrah on the rise, over Covers for a flat six.

Sneaks a double on the next ball.

Dhoni gets one right in his zone, swings wildly but misses.

SIX!

Gets one on a similar length, manages to connect and just about send it over the long-off boundary.

25 runs from the McClenaghan over. This is gold for RPS.

They are 147/3 from 19 overs.

Bumrah to bowl the last over.

SIX!

Dhoni finally connects one.

He had scored 14 from 18 before this.

No ball for height by McClenaghan, pulled away for a four by Tiwary.

50 up for the right-hander.

SIX!

Tiwary bludgeons the Free-hit for a straight six.

11 runs from the first ball of the 19th over for RPS. Just what they needed.

Bumrah gives seven runs from his third.

Dhoni swung wildly and missed the ball on consecutive deliveries.

RPS - 121/3 from 18 overs.

They must try and get past 150 at least.

Just one boundary in the last five overs for RPS.

McClenaghan concedes just five runs in his third.

Both batsmen are simply not able to get the ball away.

RPS - 114/3 from 17 overs.

Just five from Krunal's final over. He gave away 22 runs in his spell tonight, brilliant stuff from the left-arm spinner.

RPS - 109/3 from 16 overs.

The visitors are well below par at the moment.

Are we in for another Dhoni special at the Wankhede?

REMOVED THE HELMET & WENT BIIIIGGG!!!! #MSDhoni with a huge to long on! #RangWahiJungNayi #MIvRPS

— RisingPuneSupergiant (@RPSupergiants) May 16, 2017

Dhoni goes big!

Steps down the track, flicks Karn for a flat six over mid-wicket.

Wonderful over from Bumrah, just 7 from it.

Tiwary is batting on 35 from 33. The Bengal lad will need to get some big ones going now.

#MIcam
Karn strikes
MI flags are out and the Paltan is enjoying at the Wankhede stadium. #CricketMeriJaan pic.twitter.com/rgRgr0SEFj

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 16, 2017

WICKET!

Karn traps Rahane in front.

A fine innings by the Mumbaikar comes to an end.

He will be glad to get some runs under his belt before the Champions Trophy in England.

And... MS Dhoni is in the house! The atmosphere at the Wankhede is electric. Chants of Dhoni.. Dhoni.. booming!

RPS - 89/3 from 13 overs.

And it's time for another Strategic Time-out.

Congratulations to @ajinkyarahane88 on scoring #IPL runs! What a classy cricketer!  #RangWahiJungNayi #MIvRPS #Rahane pic.twitter.com/Nyy2kDXIe1

— RisingPuneSupergiant (@RPSupergiants) May 16, 2017

With 8 overs to go, fans at the Wankhede must surely be itching to see MS Dhoni walk out to the middle.

50 off 39 balls for Rahane!

His second half-century of the season.

It couldn't have come at a better time for RPS.

Malinga bowls a wide one, Rahane slashes hard past Point for a four.

The Sri Lankan pacer has had a comparatively poor IPL this season, but he's doing better tonight. 

He's picked up 1 for 14 from his 3 overs thus far.

Meanwhile, Rahane completes 3000 runs in IPL cricket. He has been one of the most consistent batsmen in this tournament over the years.

RPS - 72/2 from 11 overs.

One Pandya brother going for runs, the other one keeping it tight.

Just five singles from Krunal's second over.

RPS - 63/2 from 10 overs.

Hardik gets unlucky, Tiwary's inside edge runs away to the boundary.

Just the over RPS needed, 15 runs come from it.

Hardik Pandya comes in to bowl his first over, Rahane greets him by dancing down the track and smashing the first ball for a straight six.

Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been left out by MI considering the number of right-handers in the RPS batting line-up.

Debatable decision for sure.

Just the one run from Krunal Pandya's first over. Terrific stuff from the left-arm spinner.

RPS - 43/2 after 8 overs.

Hugeee game fr @ajinkyarahane88 on his home turfright situation 2 step in n take responsibility  #MIvRPS

— Aravind Tyson (@aravind_tyson) May 16, 2017

Good comeback by the leg-spinner, gives away just a couple of singles after being hit for a maximum.

It's time for our first Strategic Time-out of the night.

Have to say, MI have won the first round of this crunch game convincingly.

RPS are 42/2 after 7 overs.

SIX!

Tiwary dances down the track and deposits one from Karn over the long-on boundary.

Just the two runs from Malinga's second over.

Only nine runs have been given in the last ten balls.

Rahane and Manoj Tiwary will need to get going soon.

RPS - 33/2 from 6 overs.

#MSDhoni with an impressive record against the @mipaltan's in playoffs is my player to watch out for the @RPSupergiants today #MIvRPS

— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) May 16, 2017

Damn this Rahul tripathi is genius. He has B.sc degree in Mathematics and his lowest score is 98. #IPL #MIvRPS

— Banna. (@iJaiDeep_) May 16, 2017

Just the start we wanted! Let's keep the momentum going! #CricketMeriJaan #MIvRPS #MI pic.twitter.com/m30m0Bt5Ei

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 16, 2017

After a tidy over by Bumrah, spin has been introduced with Karn Shamra.

Bumrah comes into the attack.

Back-to-back boundaries by Rahane!

First a slog over mid-wicket, then a classic cover drive.

Good counter-attack!

RPS - 19/2 from 3 overs.

The two captains! Let's have a good game, boys. #CricketMeriJaan #MIvRPS #MI pic.twitter.com/YbYtTB3L84

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 16, 2017

#IPL 10 - Bigger and better. Are you guys ready? How many of you are making your way to the Wankhede stadium? #MIvRPS #Qualifier1 pic.twitter.com/Kk1yqD1uon

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 16, 2017

#IPL Qualifier 1 - The @mipaltan boys are out in the middle warming up #MIvRPS #MI pic.twitter.com/dUvDIDAEGs

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 16, 2017

#IPL Qualifier 1 - The @RPSupergiants are gearing for #MIvRPS pic.twitter.com/0zzwlP2jtQ

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 16, 2017

Strategy & Team Spirit
The two things the team will be taking into tonight's game!#RangWahiJungNayi #IPL #MIvRPS pic.twitter.com/WcMAul2mgC

— RisingPuneSupergiant (@RPSupergiants) May 16, 2017

We've got a legend here in @sachin_rt backing the boys tonight! #CricketMeriJaan #MIvRPS #MI pic.twitter.com/xUxkWi2mNa

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 16, 2017

Another one goes down!

This is a huge wicket - Smith tries to flick Malinga through his preferred mid-wicket region, the ball hurries on to him, Hardik Pandya claims a top-edge at Point.

This is turning out to be a dream start for the hosts!

RPS - 9/2 after 2 overs.

WICKET!

Rohit stops a four on the penultimate ball of the first over, Tripathi comes on strike as the batsmen cross over.

McClenaghan knocks the in-form batsman's stumps down.

Just the start MI needed!

Skipper Steve Smith walks out to the middle.

RPS - 6/1 after the first over.

Rahane hits a solid straight drive, Rohit dives full-length at mid-off to stop a certain boundary.

First runs for RPS, Rahane tucks McClenaghan for two.

The right-hander is due a big one. What better place than his hometown top come back to form.

We are all set for the first ball of what promises to be a cracker of a contest.

The players have taken their positions on the field.

The umpires are in readiness.

Here we go!

Changes for both teams

RPS: Lockie Ferguson comes in for Ben Stokes.

MI: Jasprit Bumrah, Parthiv Patel, Lasith Malinga and Mitchell McClenaghan come back into the team after resting the last league game against KKR.

MI captain Rohit Sharma has won the toss and, expectedly, has decided to field first.

Here are the playing XI of both teams:

#IPL Qualifier 1 - Here are the Playing XIs for @mipaltan vs @RPSupergiants #MIvRPS pic.twitter.com/zANpFcI09z

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 16, 2017

Hello everyone, welcome to live commentary of Qualifier 1 of IPL 2017.

Tonight, the Mumbai Indians take on the Rising Pune Supergiant at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.