Australian Test skipper Steve Smith's Rising Pune Supergiant are through to the IPL final for the first time after beating Mumbai Indians by 20 runs.
Smith lost the toss and his side were put in to bat by Rohit Sharma, and responded with a less than daunting total of 4-162.
In-form opener Rohit Trapahthi (0) and Smith (1) fell cheaply as Pune slumped to 2-9 after two overs against the side that finished top of the qualifying table.
However, 58 from Manoj Tiwary, Ajinkya Rahane's 56 and unbeaten 40 from MS Dhoni gave the Pune attack a total to defend.
Mumbai started well, reaching 0-35 before Shardul Tharkar ran out West Indian opener Lendl Simmons for five.
That wicket kick-started an inspired spell from Indian off-spinner Washington Sandur who dismissed Sharma (1), Ambati Rayudu (0) and the dangerous Kieron Pollard for seven and reduce the hosts to 4-51.
New Zealand quick Lockie Ferguson then chimed in by dismissing Hardik Pandya before Tharkar added two more scalps, including the crucial wicket of Parthiv Patel (52), to leave Mumbai reeling at 7-103 after 15 overs.
Some disciplined bowling from Pune ensured the victory target was beyond Sharma's side, who finished their twenty overs at 9-142.
"It's been good this year, three times we've beaten them now," said Smith, whose side will face David Warner's Sunrisers Hyderabad or Kolkota Knight Riders in Sunday's final.
"We had to be a little conservative today and we timed it well to get 160.
"We got the momentum we needed. You really need to peak at the right time in tournaments like this.
"We tried to take the pace of the ball; it worked nicely for us.
"Washington's lengths were magnificent and it was great he did it on a big stage like this. He has done a lot for us, very proud of him. It's a really exciting time for us."
Share
