IPL 2018: Gowtham was more deserving

Krishappa Gowtham of Rajasthan Royals celebrates the wining shot against Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2018 at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday.

Krishappa Gowtham of Rajasthan Royals celebrates the wining shot against Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2018 at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday.   | Photo Credit: PTI

The ‘man-of-the-match’ winner may not always be the man of the match!

There have been instances when the popular choice has not been adjudged the player-of-the-match and the decision to give Jofra Archer the award after Rajasthan Royals’ win over Mumbai Indians on Sunday night left many bewildered.

Superb last over

Archer, playing his first match, bowled a superb last over, the penultimate of Mumbai’s innings, conceding a mere five runs and picking up three wickets.

 He showed enormous skill in foxing Krunal Pandya with a slower one and beating Hardik Pandya and Mitchell McClenaghan by scorching pace, clocking 145.6 and 149.2.

 It was a decisive over from him no doubt.

Gowtham, who bowled his three overs in three spells, began in the PowerPlay, gave away just three in his opening over and nine and eight in the subsequent two against a rampaging Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan.

Rajasthan skipper Ajinkya Rahane did not summon Gowtham to finish his quota and placed grater faith in Jaydev Unadkat.

“Still can’t believe what happened,” said Rahane. “Credit to our bowlers to pull it back.

 “I thought Mumbai would make 180-190. Gowtham’s knock was unbelievable. Archer’s fantastic. The way he bowled in the middle-overs was incredible. He can bowl 140+ and his accuracy was fantastic. He’s always thinking about wickets and that’s the way to go.”

Samson, who once again was at the heart of the chase with 52 off 39 balls, graciously remarked, “How many runs one makes,

 “Hit’s the person who hits the winning runs that matters. Everyone’s contribution was important. Archer took three important wickets. Gowtham won us the match. I cannot comment on the man-of-the-match decision. Even Ben Stokes’ innings was important.

“H Gowtham’s innings was brilliant and it was a lifetime experience not just for him, but for all of us.”

Samson did not finish the job. An 11-ball knock of 33 to leave Mumbai Indians stunned was Gowtham’s claim for the man-of-the-match honour.

The knock decided the course of the match but the one-member adjudicator committee, a commentator in this case, had a different opinion.

‘Awesome to watch’

Shane Warne tweeted, “You little ripper @gowthamyadav88. Well done buddy — just awesome to watch.” Gowtham can cherish Warne’s comment as his priceless award from the match.