From the jaws of despair to a playoff miracle—how Mumbai Indians turned a dead-end season into a blockbuster finish
On a seemingly ordinary evening in Mumbai on May 25, 2014, an extraordinary atmosphere enveloped the Wankhede, hinting at moments that would be etched in history. The scoreboard read "Rajasthan Royals – 189 for 4, "a mighty total on most days. But this was not most days. Mumbai Indians, already on the edge, had to not only chase down 190—but do it in just 14.3 overs. A stiff, almost laughable ask. And yet, they weren't in the mood to pack their bags just yet.
For a team whose IPL 2024 journey had started with stumbles and stutters, this was their final throw of the dice. And what followed was not just a chase—it was theatre. Edge-of-the-seat, goosebumps-inducing theatre.
Mumbai's run chase didn't begin like a dream. Simmons, Hussey, and Pollard all came out swinging, but none of them stuck around long enough to script anything meaningful. Rohit Sharma tried to steady the ship but couldn't even weather the storm. Then walked in the unlikely hero—Corey Anderson (95*).
Picked over a fast bowler that day, Anderson didn't walk out; he stormed in. He whacked his first two deliveries to the boundary and signalled that something outrageous might be in store. With every swing of his bat, Mumbai's hopes clawed back.
But time ticked faster than ever. Mumbai still needed 115 off the last 45 balls. That's when Ambati Rayudu (30) joined Anderson—and the tempo exploded. They took the Royals apart, scoring at over 14 runs an over. Rayudu flicked, Anderson slogged, and together they charged at the impossible.
Then came the final over—Mumbai needed 9 runs off 3 balls to qualify. Stuck at the non-striker's end, Anderson could only watch as Faulkner ran in. Rayudu launched the first ball for six. Hope soared. On the next delivery, Rayudu miscued and ran. The throw missed the stumps, but he got run out, trying to sneak another run. He dropped to his knees. Mumbai thought they'd fluffed it.
But it wasn't over. Out came Aditya Tare, facing his first ball. Faulkner served a juicy full toss on leg stump. Tare swung. The ball flew. Six! Over long leg. Mumbai had done it. Cue pandemonium. Jerseys flew. Fists pumped. And on the Royals' side, Rahul Dravid hurled his cap in frustration. They had lost an unloseable game.
Amidst the chaos, a delightful batting display by Sanju Samson (74) and Karun Nair (50) stood out. The young players propelled the Royals to a formidable total with strokes full of flair. Their 100-run partnership set the tone—but sadly, their brilliance soon became a mere footnote in a narrative dominated by chaos and Corey.
What made this win special wasn't just the numbers or the qualification. It was the emotional turbulence, the wild swings of momentum, and the sheer drama under the lights. Mumbai wasn’t just chasing runs—they were chasing belief. And they found it when Anderson's bat thundered and Tare's six soared.
That night, Wankhede wasn't just a cricket ground but a theatre of miracles.
