The Wankhede crowd hadn't given up yet. The scoreboard read 110/6 after 13 overs, and it seemed Rising Pune had crushed the spirit out of Mumbai. But if there was one thing every cricket fan knew, it was this: never count out the Pandya brothers. And never underestimate Kieron Pollard.
The Middle Overs – Pollard Finds His Rhythm
Aarav fielded at deep square as the 14th and 15th overs unfolded. Pollard, massive frame and calm demeanor, was at first cautious, picking singles, nudging twos. But every Pune fielder could sense it—he was waiting for his moment.
In the 16th over, bowled by Stokes, Pollard exploded. A slower ball was dispatched flat over long-on. The next, fuller and straighter, was whipped behind square for another six. The crowd erupted, the blue shirts bouncing in unison.
Commentary (Harsha Bhogle):"This is Pollard at his best. He takes his time, and then… boom! Suddenly, he changes the game in two swings of the bat."
Hardik Pandya fed off the energy, playing second fiddle, running hard between the wickets. Aarav chased balls in the deep, heart pounding, sweat dripping, but he kept clapping, kept shouting encouragement. He wasn't just bowling now—he was part of the team's fielding engine.
By the end of the 17th over, Mumbai had surged to 151/6.
The 18th Over – Pollard Falls
Smith turned to Dinda for the 18th. It was a gamble: experience against power.
First ball: Pollard thumped it straight down the ground for four.Second ball: another four, this time lofted over cover. The Wankhede roared louder, sensing carnage.
But then, the twist. Third ball, Dinda rolled his fingers across it. Pollard mistimed the slog, skying it high. The ball soared into the humid night, hanging for what felt like forever. Aarav sprinted in from long-on, eyes fixed. He didn't call for it—Faf du Plessis did, steady under the ball. Safe hands. OUT.
Pollard was gone for a quickfire 30 off 18 balls.
The Wankhede fell into stunned silence, then broke into applause for their giant.
Commentary (Sunil Gavaskar):"Pollard has done his bit, but Pune will know this game is not over. Because Hardik Pandya is still there."
Mumbai: 159/7 after 18 overs.
The Beast Unleashed – Hardik Pandya
Hardik, who had been quiet by his standards, suddenly shifted gears. The 19th over went for a modest 8 runs, but it was clear he was winding up. His footwork was aggressive, his backlift higher, his body language electric.
Then came the 20th over.
The ball was given to Ashok Dinda.
The crowd, knowing his reputation, grew restless. The blue shirts rose to their feet, drums beating, flags waving.
The Final Over – Carnage
First ball: Dinda bowled full, angling into the pads. Hardik whipped it over fine leg—six.Second ball: Back of length, but too predictable. Hardik stayed back and muscled it over midwicket—six more.
The Wankhede exploded.
Aarav, patrolling the boundary, could barely hear his own thoughts. His chest thumped with adrenaline. This is madness…
Third ball: Full toss. Hardik didn't miss. Straight down the ground, another six.
Commentary (Harsha Bhogle, voice rising):"Three in a row! Hardik Pandya is tearing this apart. Pune don't know what's hit them!"
Smith tried to calm his men, but the storm was here.
Fourth ball: Wide yorker attempted, but Hardik reached it, slashing it over backward point for four.Fifth ball: Slower one, but too short. Hammered over midwicket—four again.
The crowd was in delirium, Hardik punching the air, roaring.
Sixth ball: Dinda went full again, desperate. Hardik drilled it through extra cover for another boundary.
30 runs off the last over.
Commentary (Gavaskar, almost laughing in disbelief):"This is brutal. Absolutely brutal. Hardik Pandya has taken 30 off the final over! Mumbai finish on 181/7."
Aarav's Perspective
As the players trudged back toward the dugout, Aarav felt a swirl of emotions.
Part of him admired Hardik—that's what true finishers do, they seize the moment, they change the script. Another part of him burned with frustration. We had them at 110/6. This should never have happened.
But as he caught his breath, Dhoni walked past him, calm as always. A light pat on Aarav's shoulder, and a single sentence:
"Remember, one over never decides the game. It's how you finish as a team."
The words stayed with him as he sat down, sipping water, sweat cooling on his skin. This was the IPL—unpredictable, unforgiving, and exhilarating all at once.
Mumbai Indians: 181/7 in 20 overs.
Pune had a mountain to climb.