Mumbai Indians fast bowler Akash Madhwal hogged the limelight after he stunned Lucknow Super Giants with his terrific spell in the Eliminator contest at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Wednesday. Madhwal returned with impressive figures of 5-5 in the 3.3 overs he bowled to skittle out the opposition at 101 and played a key role in his team’s gigantic win of 81 runs.
The right-arm pacer was right on the money from the get-go, dismissing Prerak Mankad, who holed to third man. In the 10th over of the innings, Madhwal accounted for Ayush Badoni and Nicholas Pooran on consecutive deliveries to put his team in front.
Madhwal also wiped out the tail as he dismissed Ravi Bishnoi and Mohsin Khan. The 29-year-old bowled a total of 17 dot balls in the 3.3 overs he bowled. Madhwal’s figures of 5-5 are the best for any uncapped player and the fourth-best by any bowler in the IPL history. Madhwal said he is not Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement and he is trying to do what he can do the best.
“I am trying my best to fulfill the responsibilities given to me by the team. I am not Bumrah’s replacement but I’m trying my best to do what I can,” Madhwal said in the post-match press conference. “Whatever opportunities come your way, you should grab it and make the most of it.”
Madhwal revealed he has been given the clarity of his role by the management and he is trying his best to deliver the goods. In fact, Madhwal was with MI as a support bowler in IPL 2022 and he was given assurance that he would be getting his chances this season.
“I was given the clarity of my role with the team. I have to continue the process I was following and had the surety that I would get opportunities next season. That was very clear.”
Madhwal has been able to grab his opportunity and he had returned with figures of 4-37 in the last league stage match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which was a must-win contest for MI. The fast bowler has scalped 13 wickets in seven matches at an average of 12.84 and an economy rate of 7.76 in IPL 2023.
Mumbai Indians will take on Gujarat Titans in the second qualifier at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Friday.
