With his quick thinking and sharp reflexes Shardul Thakur got a touch on a Parthiv Patel straight drive to catch Lendl Simmons backing up too far at the non-striker’s end. The wicket of the dangerous Mumbai Indians opener set the tone for the innings.

After Thakur gave Rising Pune Supergiant their first breakthrough, Washington Sundar picked three for 16 to peg the home team back. The pacer then returned to claim Krunal Pandya, Parthiv Patel and Mitchell McClenaghan and put his side firmly in the driver’s seat.

“It feels great. It is our first final for Rising Pune Supergiant. We have put in a lot of hard work, winning nine games of 14 wasn’t easy and I feel winning this one against Mumbai Indians in Mumbai was something special,” local lad Thakur told iplt20.com while reflecting on the victory at the Wankhede Stadium that took Rising Pune Supergiant into the VIVIO IPL 2017 final.

Thakur’s fellow pacer, Jaydev Unadkat added, “It has been brilliant so far. I have been getting the rewards. It comes down to how we have planned and executed those plans. Everyone has been taking crucial wickets at (at crucial) times. It has been a team effort. So far so good! I am getting the rewards. (I am) Really happy... just one more match to go.”

While discussing defending the total, Thakur observed, “You also saw how the wicket was playing. It was a bit difficult in the powerplay. But after the powerplay, (when) the field was spread (the restrictions were removed) it was a bit easier. Slower ones were working. I must say you got wickets on that (delivery) and me too.”

“Definitely! That has been our plans throughout the season,” Unadkat chimed in. The Rising Pune Supergiant’s man-in-form, who is in the race for the Purple Cap, took his tally of wickets to 22 with the wicket of Karn Sharma. When Shardul asked him if he is eyeing the Purple Cap, Unadkat, who is in second place for the prized cap, said, “If I get that, I would be the happiest person. But so far, the eye is be on the (IPL) trophy. It has been brilliant to be part of this set up and to be playing the finals would be great as well.”

Discussing the plans for celebrations with Thakur following the victory, Unadkat mentioned “I have no plans, but the way Mahi (MS Dhoni) smashed them for those 26 runs in that (19th) over, I think that’s how everyone is going to smash out there in the party.”
Listen in to the pace duo here: