- Nasima Akter
Rohit Sharma Sends Cheeky Message to RCB
Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Rohit Sharma sent a cheeky message to Faf du Plessis and his team ahead of the final league game of the IPL 2023 season. Rohit Sharma acknowledged that the outcome of the match was beyond their control but expressed hope that his team would get the result they desired. He emphasized that the team would take responsibility if they failed to qualify and would credit the players if they succeeded.
With one playoff spot up for grabs, Mumbai Indians were eager to secure their place in the knockout stage. However, their fate hinged on the outcome of the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Defending champions Gujarat Titans had already secured their spot in the playoffs, ensuring a top-two finish. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) also booked their tickets to the knockouts with victories in their respective matches on Saturday.
Recent IPL Matches
On Sunday, Mumbai Indians added to the excitement with a stunning win against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite the victory, they were still uncertain of their place in the playoffs, as their fate depended on the outcome of the RCB-GT match.
With CSK and LSG securing the second and third spots in the points table respectively, three teams remained in contention for the final playoff spot. Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore were in pole position, while the Rajasthan Royals had an outside chance.
Mumbai Indians showcased their dominance by successfully chasing their fourth 200-plus target of the season. Cameron Green's sensational century and Rohit Sharma's comeback knock of 56 runs led them to an eight-wicket victory at the Wankhede Stadium. This win propelled them to the fourth spot in the table, but they still had to wait for the RCB-GT result to confirm their place in the playoffs.
Possibilities of the Match
If Royal Challengers Bangalore emerged victorious in their final league game against Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians could find themselves knocked out of the tournament despite having the same number of points. RCB's qualification would be determined by their superior net run rate.
In light of the crucial match, Rohit Sharma called for a return of favor from Faf du Plessis' team, reminding them of Mumbai Indians' role in helping RCB qualify for the playoffs in the previous IPL season. Rohit acknowledged that the outcome of the match was beyond their control but expressed hope for a favorable result.
Unfortunately, the start of the RCB-GT game was delayed due to a wet outfield caused by heavy evening rain. Although the toss took place, there remained a high possibility of further rain between 8 PM IST and 12 AM IST, raising concerns about a potential washout. A washout would result in both teams sharing a point each, which would not be sufficient for Royal Challengers Bangalore to secure a playoff spot.
What to Expect Next
In such a scenario, Mumbai Indians would secure a spot in the playoffs and face Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator match in Chennai the following week.
As fans eagerly awaited the outcome of the final league game and kept a close eye on the weather conditions, the IPL 2023 season reached its thrilling climax. The teams and their fans remained on tenterhooks, waiting to see who would secure the final playoff spot and continue their journey towards the IPL title.
