WATCH | Karn Sharma’s brain fade moment puts Pune on top in the IPL final
BCCI
Following a top order collapse, Mumbai's middle-order was expected to consolidate the innings, but with the exception of Krunal Pandya, everyone failed. Even though Karn Sharma was given an extra life by Dan Christian, who dropped his catch, the spinner ended up gifting his wicket on the same ball.
After winning the toss in the final, Mumbai Indians selected to bat first thinking that the pitch would slow down in the second innings but little did Rohit Sharma know that Mumbai would suffer such a spectacular batting implosion. Pune put Mumbai under extream pressure by not giving away any easy runs and picking up wickets on regular occasions. This resulted in the leg-spinner throwing away his wicket when his team needed him the most.
In the 15th over of the game, Shardul Thakur’s delivery swung away from the Southpaw to which he got a thick outside edge and the ball was heading straight into the hands of Dan Christian at first slip. The Aussie put in a dive to his left but failed to latch onto the ball. However, after getting a second chance, the all-rounder decided to give his luck another try.
Karn thought of stealing a single and have his partner Krunal Pandya the call. However, Pandya Sr. was unsure about the single and decided against the non-existent single. Thakur showed his brilliant presence of mind to run towards the striker's end to collect Christian's throw and whip off the bails to bring an end to Karn’s innings.
At the time end of the first innings, Mumbai could only manage at 129/8 with Krunal Pandya top scoring with 47 runs.
