During the locker room celebrations, Akash Madhwal was presented with the match. ball©Instagram
Akash Madhwal secured the Mumbai Indians’ sweeping 81-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2023 Eliminator on Wednesday, by a staggering 5 for 5 in 3.3 overs. Madhwal, who worked as an engineer a few years ago and played tennis ball cricket, is now in the IPL history books with his figures against LSG. He now holds the record for the most economic numbers in IPL playoff history. During MI’s locker room celebrations, Madhwal was handed the match ball and was all smiles upon receiving the memento.
With Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer out injured, the previously unannounced Madhwal has seized his chance to shine.
He came to Mumbai last year as an injury replacement but was confined to playing test matches before skipper Rohit Sharma introduced him to the big stage this season.
“The team has given me the responsibility, so I’m trying to do it,” Madhwal told reporters after his man of the match performance.
“It’s not that I can take his (Bumrah’s) place, but whatever I can do in my capacity, I will.”
“Cricket is my passion and not a burden,” he said. “So I enjoy cricket after leaving engineering and a job to follow my passion without having much at home.”
His performance on Wednesday came on the back of 4-37 against Sunrisers Hyderabad – eclipsed only by Mumbai big-buy Cameron Green’s match-winning 100 not out.
MI will now face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 on Friday, and the winner of the match will face Chennai Super Kings in the final on Sunday.
(with AFP inputs)
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