Akash Madhwal Dazzles In IPL 2023 Eliminator; Rohit Sharma Leads Cricket Verse To Hail Talented MI Pacer

Akash Madhwal conjured up a magical spell of fast bowling to return with a record-equalling feat of 5/5 in a high-stakes IPL 2023 Eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants and guided Mumbai Indians to the Qualifier 2 with an emphatic win in Chennai.

Mumbai Indians - the five-time champions - will now take on defending champions Gujarat Titans in the battle of heavyweights at Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday (May 26). IPL 2023: Akash Madhwal Produces Best Bowling Figures In IPL Playoffs; Records Galore As MI Enter Qualifier 2

MI defeated LSG by 81 runs in Eliminator to qualify for Qualifier 2. MI captain Rohit Sharma while reacting over the uncapped cricketer's performance in the knockout game, claimed he had no doubt about unheralded Madhwal's talent during his two years in the set-up.

Rohit claimed he was confident that the Uttarakhand player would do the job for the team if shown confidence and given ample opportunities. Madhwal has been a part of the Mumbai Indians set-up for some time and started as a net bowler for them.

Madhwal, an engineer from Uttarakhand played tennis-ball cricket for the most part of his cricket career before getting serious about the leather ball, had figures of 5 for 5 in 3.3 overs against LSG and brought Mumbai Indians one step closer to the summit clash with arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings.

Mumbai Indians registered a morale-boosting 81-run victory against a clueless Lucknow Super Giants side in the IPL Eliminator. Chasing a target of 183, LSG suffered a middle-order collapse in a high-pressure game and their entire innings folded for 101 in 16.3 overs. GT vs MI IPL 2023 Qualifier 2: Head To Head, Stats, Record in Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

"That is what we have done over the years. People don't expect us to do what we have done, but we managed to," a pleased Rohit said at the post-match presentation ceremony. IPL 2023 Qualifier 2: GT vs MI Live Streaming, Date, Time, Venue, How GT and MI Booked Qualifier 2 Berth

Rohit Sharma Praises Akash Madhwal

On Madhwal, the MI skipper said that he had watched his progress with MI for the last two years. "He (Akash) was part of the team last year as a support bowler, and once Jofra (Archer) was gone and I knew he had skills and the character to do the job for us," Rohit said.

As a successful IPL captain, Rohit knows the art of man management better than most of his contemporaries. "Over the years, we have seen many guys coming in from Mumbai Indians and playing for India. It is important to make them (youngsters) feel special and make them feel part of the team, my job is to just make them comfortable in the middle," the India captain said.

"They (youngsters like Madhwal) are very clear in their roles about what they need to do for the team and that's what you want." There were three run-outs during the LSG run chase and the skipper himself was involved in two of them, including a direct hit to get rid of Krishanppa Gowtham.

"As a team, we enjoyed it (fielding). Good to see everyone contributing on the field. Coming to Chennai, we knew the whole team needs to come to the party. At Wankhede, you need one or two brilliant performances, but here it is a different ball game.

Akash - who has been captaining Uttarakhand in the domestic circuit - received a lot of praise from the cricketing fraternity. Several stalwarts of the game from the international and domestic circuits lauded the right-arm quick for his superlative effort.

Former India cricketer and batting great, Virender Sehwag tweeted, "Akash Madhwal 5 wickets in the eliminator after the 4 he took in the last league game which was a do-or-die game. Such a delight to see newcomers doing well. This is the season where many of the experienced guys have had a great season and many newcomers have made a big mark."

Legendary India cricketer Anil Kumble - who also has the best bowling figures of 5/5 in the IPL - also welcomed Akash to the club and lauded his performance under pressure. "Great bowling in a high-pressure game, Akash Madhwal. Welcome to the 5/5 club," tweeted Kumble.

Former India cricketer and IPL great, Suresh Raina congratulated Mumbai Indians on a terrific win and hailed Madhwal for his brilliant bowling effort.

"What a sensational victory for @mipaltan! Thrilling win today! Huge congratulations to the entire team, and a special shoutout to #akashmadhwal for his incredible 5-wicket haul!"

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra while congratulating MI on Twitter wrote, "Akash Madhwal. Yes, #MI spends too dollar to get marquee players but it's their ability to scout for the young lesser-known Indian talent that makes them the team they are. Akash Madhwal is a real diamond. Upwards and onwards, young man."