IPL 2017 Final vs RPS

Lore & Background

The 2017 season had been a rollercoaster for Mumbai Indians, who struggled in the league stage before rallying to reach the final. Their journey was punctuated by the return of captain Rohit Sharma and the emergence of young talents like Krunal Pandya, who would become the unsung hero of the night. The opposition, Rising Pune Supergiant, led by Steve Smith with MS Dhoni serving as Captain/Mentor under Coach Stephen Fleming, posed a formidable challenge with their balanced squad and tactical acumen.

The match itself was a tense affair characterized by tight bowling spells and crucial partnerships. Mumbai Indians posted a modest 128/7 after RPS won the toss and elected to field. In response, RPS chipped away at the wickets, leaving the required run rate climbing with every over. The final over saw Krunal Pandya hit a massive six off the last ball of the innings to set the target; victory was technically secured only when RPS failed to score 1 run off the final delivery of their chase, resulting in a thrilling 1-run win.

In Their Own Story

The humidity in Hyderabad hung heavy as the final ball approached. Rohit Sharma stood at the non-striker's end, his eyes locked on the bowler, while Krunal Pandya faced the delivery with a calm that belied the chaos around him. The crowd roared, a mix of hope and dread, as the fielders closed in. The bowler ran in, delivered a yorker, and Pandya swung hard. The ball soared over deep mid-wicket, clearing the boundary rope by inches. In that split second, the stadium erupted, and Mumbai Indians had once again conquered the IPL.

Reader's Guide

The occasion was the grand finale of the 2017 Indian Premier League, pitting the experienced Mumbai Indians against the rising force of Rising Pune Supergiant. After winning the toss and electing to field, Mumbai restricted RPS to a manageable total thanks to disciplined bowling from their spinners and new-ball bowlers.

In reply, Mumbai Indians found themselves in trouble early, losing wickets at regular intervals. However, a resilient lower-order partnership between Krunal Pandya and Hardik Pandya kept them in the hunt, setting a target of 129 runs. The chase by RPS was equally tense, with they needing 4 runs off the final over.

The match is remembered for its dramatic conclusion. With one run needed to win from the last ball, Krunal Pandya hit a six to seal the victory by just one run. This moment highlighted Mumbai Indians' ability to thrive under pressure and added another chapter to their legacy as IPL champions.

Why it's remembered: The match is iconic for its last-ball finish, showcasing the unpredictability of T20 cricket and the mental fortitude of Mumbai Indians. It remains a benchmark for high-stakes finals in the tournament.

Did You Know?

• Contrary to popular belief, Mumbai Indians and RPS had split their two league encounters in the 2017 season, with each team securing one victory before meeting in the final.
• Krunal Pandya's six off the last ball of the innings set the total for Mumbai Indians; since they batted first, he did not hit the 'winning runs' to win the match but rather secured a competitive target. The title was wo
• Mumbai Indians became the first team to win three IPL titles, surpassing Chennai Super Kings' record at the time.
• The match saw 15 wickets fall in total (7 for Mumbai Indians and 8 for Rising Pune Supergiant), making it one of the lowest-scoring finals in IPL history.

Origins and Temporary Mandate

The Rising Pune Supergiant emerged as a unique, two-season entity within the Indian Premier League landscape, serving as a direct replacement for franchises suspended due to betting scandals. Owned by the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, the team was officially unveiled in Kolkata on January 18, 2016, with Raghu Iyer appointed as CEO. Alongside the Gujarat Lions, RPS filled the void left by Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for the 2016 and 2017 tournaments. The franchise was deeply rooted in Pune, Maharashtra, utilizing the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium as its primary home ground, though severe drought conditions and subsequent legal interventions forced a temporary relocation of matches to Vishakhapatnam during their inaugural season. Despite initial struggles to establish dominance, the team successfully navigated its brief existence, culminating in a dramatic run to the 2017 final before being disbanded when the original franchises returned in 2018.

The 2016 Rollercoaster Campaign

RPS's debut season was characterized by extreme volatility and narrow escapes. They began spectacularly with a convincing nine-wicket victory over defending champions Mumbai Indians, only to suffer four consecutive defeats that threatened their standing. The team found brief redemption through strategic player inclusions like Ashok Dinda and Australian batsmen Usman Khawaja and George Bailey, securing crucial wins against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Daredevils. However, the season's most defining moment occurred in their final league match against Kings XI Punjab. Facing a potential last-place finish, captain MS Dhoni orchestrated an incredible chase of 172 runs. After falling behind with only two balls remaining and needing 12 runs, Dhoni smashed two consecutive sixes to secure a victory that saved the team from the bottom of the table. Despite these highs, they finished seventh overall, winning just five of fourteen matches.

The Historic 2017 Run

The 2017 season marked RPS's zenith, driven by significant strategic shifts and high-profile acquisitions. The franchise rebranded to 'Rising Pune Supergiant' (singular) in March 2017 and appointed Steve Smith as captain alongside MS Dhoni. A record-breaking auction purchase of Ben Stokes for ₹14.5 Crore proved pivotal, complemented by the late addition of Imran Tahir, who became a match-winner with 18 wickets. After a shaky start mirroring their previous year, the team found rhythm, winning seven of eight crucial matches to qualify for the playoffs. They defeated Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 1 thanks to Washington Sundar's career-best bowling figures and a composed batting display. This momentum carried them into the final against Mumbai Indians at Hyderabad, where they held a psychological advantage having won all three prior league encounters.

Legacy and Franchise Evolution

The Rising Pune Supergiant concluded its IPL journey in heartbreaking fashion during the 2017 Final. Chasing a modest target of 130, RPS faltered due to cautious batting after early wickets fell to Jaydev Unadkat and Adam Zampa. Despite a solid start by Ajinkya Rahane, the collapse accelerated when captain Steve Smith struggled and MS Dhoni was dismissed quickly for just 10 runs. The team ultimately lost by a single run in their very last match, marking the end of their two-year tenure as the league returned to its original structure. However, the legacy of the franchise's ownership endured; the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group later secured a permanent spot in the IPL ecosystem by acquiring the Lucknow Super Giants in February 2022. This new franchise now stands among the league's ten teams, continuing the owner's commitment to the sport long after RPS was disbanded.