To add to the pain for Norris, the Briton finished under investigation for a procedural infringement at the initial aborted start
sports2 days ago
Nobody expected Akash Madhwal, an engineering graduate and a late bloomer in the sport who was playing tennis ball cricket until 2019, to grab the spotlight in the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League.
But the 29-year-old pace bowler did just that and more on an unforgettable Wednesday night in Chennai.
With a stunning five-wicket spell (3.3-0-5-5) Madhwal destroyed the Lucknow Super Giants batting unit and helped the Mumbai Indians win by 81 runs to set up a clash in the Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans on Friday.
The winner of that clash will play Chennai Super Kings in Sunday's final.
The road to Qualifier 2 would not have been so smooth for Mumbai if Madhwal had not bowled the spell of his life.
Having spent the entire IPL season without getting to play a single game last year, Madhwal saw a window of opportunity when the Mumbai pace attack was hit by multiple injury setbacks.
After a wicketless first game against the Punjab Kings on May 3, Madhwal has now taken 13 wickets in his last six games for the Mumbai Indians.
On Wednesday, he delivered his second straight outstanding performance in Mumbai's second straight make-or-break game in the tournament.
The unassuming player also took four wickets for 37 in the last league match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad to help Mumbai reach the playoffs.
It's a fairytale start in the IPL for a player who had not played with the red ball until 2019.
It was only four years ago that Madhwal started bowling with the red ball after his talent was discovered by Wasim Jaffer, the former India opening batsman.
Few months later Madhwal made his first class debut for Uttarakhand and now he has become the first player from his state to play in the IPL.
On Wednesday night, Madhwal also equalled legendary spinner Anil Kumble's record for least runs conceded for a five-wicket haul in the IPL.
Madhwal credits his engineering background for his meteoric rise in cricket.
"I did my engineering, and played tennis-ball cricket since it was my passion. Engineers have a tendency to learn early," he said after the match on Wednesday.
"I just practice, and that is what we execute. I'm proud of myself, but I'll try to be better. (Jasprit) Bumrah bhai has his own place, and I'm just trying to play role."
Skipper Rohit Sharma also heaped high praise on the pacer bowler.
"Akash Madhwal was part of the season last year. He didn't get to play. We knew what he had, and we needed somebody to bowl at the back end. Having seen him, I was confident he could get the job done for us," Rohit said.
Rohit will now be hoping that Madhwal will do the job for his team again on Friday when the five-time champion takes on defending champion Gujarat Titans for a place in Sunday's final.
ALSO READ:
To add to the pain for Norris, the Briton finished under investigation for a procedural infringement at the initial aborted start
sports2 days ago
‘I'm Excited for what lies ahead – it promises to be a thrilling season of golf’ said the 24-year-old who is in his first pro season
sports2 days ago
This event serves as Qualifier Two for the 2024-25 EGF Order of Merit for Men and Women
sports2 days ago
The Arabian Ranches Golf Club event has drawn elite competitors,including UAE National Team player Thomas Nesbitt and low-handicap standout Craig Murray from GEMS First Point
sports2 days ago
The Dubai-born player is tied for 18th, with the top 22 players and ties advancing to the final qualifying stage
sports3 days ago
Sara Engsig dominates the Ladies’ Gross Division with a stellar 69 to be four shots clear of Lucia Maturi
sports3 days ago
Several football games were postponed over the weekend like Valencia vs Real Madrid and Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano
sports3 days ago
Shubman Gill scored a fluent 90 after Rishabh Pant made a quick-fire 60, as the hosts took a slender lead of 28 runs
sports3 days ago