When Jasprit Bumrah ran in to the bowl the final six deliveries of the most dramatic IPL 10 match so far – one in which the pendulum swing vigorously from one end to another – the date had changed. The match that began on Saturday evening was now getting stretched into early hours of Sunday. Mumbai Indians had their plans in place for this special day but for those to materialize, they needed Bumrah to deliver without bucking under pressure. Ravindra Jadeja’s two stunning run outs, Irfan Pathan’s direct hit and Basil Thampi’s two wickets in the 19th over had put MI’s celebrations on hold as the scores were tied.

Tasked with the job of bowling the Super Over, the unflinching Bumrah delivered in the face of tremendous pressure and came out victorious against the much-experienced pair of Brendon McCullum and Aaron Finch.

Chosen over Lasith Malinga, the default choice of teams world over to bowl the most crucial over, Bumrah’s nerves of steel and execution proved the decision of MI management was correct. The celebrationsfinally started with a jubilant Mumbai team carrying Bumrah on their shoulders, but the most important part of it was carried out inside the dressing room. The victory coincided with captain Rohit Sharma turning a year older. A cake was cut inside the dressing room and the energy-sapping emotional journey ended with teammates smearing Rohit’s face with cake.

Awarded Man of the Match for his all-round performance (3/14 and 29 off 20), Krunal Pandya said the win was a birthday present for the captain from the team. “It is definitely (our present). He is (Rohit) thrilled and very happy. We wished him a happy 30th birthday.”

The all-rounder termed it the best win of his career. “I have played some close games like this in domestic cricket but this is the best win so far.It was a total team effort. Parthiv (70 from 44) played really well upfront. Earlier, Malinga came back strongly and picked two wickets. Bhajju pa(Harbhajan Singh) bowled well in between. I am also happy with the way we were chasing. I knew the asking run-rate was not high. We were just two-three big shots away. The wicket also was not that easy where you could just enter and get the big shots.”

At a time where MI were losing wickets in a cluster, Krunal stayed solid at the other end and was anchoring the chase. He has done that earlier this season and played another good knock without getting flustered. “I am learning. Previously, I was very aggressive on the field, but now I control my emotions. I see what I can control and I think about a particular situation and how to handle it - whether it is bowling or batting.”

Krunal believed MI opted for Bumrah over Malinga because of his superior performance on the day. “In this match, Bumrah had bowled well and he was confident and I guess that is why he was chosen to bowl the Super Over. He bowled eight balls (a wide and a no ball) and still defended 11 runs. It was a great over. He is known for his death bowling and he can bowl yorkers day in (and) day out.

While Krunal had complete faith in Bumrah’s exceptional skills, the seamer, who is always calm, admitted there was pressure. “There is always pressure because (there were) only 11 runs to defend.But you try to keep a calm head and not focus on the negative aspects; (you) think about the plans you made” said Bumrah.

He added that message from the dugout was to remain calm. “They told me to back my skills and not to take extra pressure. ‘Be confident, be calm and try to execute your plans.’”
Bumrah said that he can send out yorkers regularly owing to his rigorous practice routines. “I don't practice keeping a shoe like Malinga does but I practice with him. I practice consistently. I always have a death bowling session when I practice.”