WATCH: Mumbai Indians Pacer Akash Madhwal claims 5 wickets in Eliminator, Anil Kumble welcomes ‘special’ club

Mumbai Indians pacer Akash Madhwal joined a rare pacer club that claims the cheapest five wicket hauls in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and managed to achieve this feat in a Playoff match no less. Madhwal, in his debut season, struck a scintillating 5/5 in 3.5 overs to tie Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for just 101 and set up IM’s run of 81 in the IPL Eliminator 2023 in Chennai on Wednesday.

Madhwal equaled the record of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) leg turner Anil Kumble who also took 5/5 in 3.1 overs against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2009 at Newlands in Cape Town. He remains the cheapest fifer ever claimed in the IPL.

Ayush Badoni_
Nicholas Pooran

Two outstanding deliveries from Akash Madhwal to get two BIG wickets__#LSG 75/5 after 10 overs

Follow the game __ https://t.co/CVo5K1wG31#TATAIPL | #Eliminator | #LSGvMI pic.twitter.com/smlXIuNSXc

— Indian Premier League (@IPL) May 24, 2023

Former India head coach Kumble welcomed Madhwal to the special club. “Great game of bowling in a high pressure game, Akash Madhwal. Welcome to the 5/5 club,” Kumble tweeted.

Great game of bowling in a high pressure game, Akash Madhwal. Welcome to the club 5/5 __ @mipaltan @JioCinema—Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) May 24, 2023

Kumble’s former teammate Virender Sehwag also praised the youngster for taking 5 wickets in Eliminator following his four wickets in the “do or die” match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. “Akash Madhwal 5 wickets in the tie after the 4 he took in the last league game, which was a do or die game. It’s a pleasure to see newcomers do well. This is the season where a lot of the experienced guys have had a great season and a lot of newcomers have made a big mark. Congratulations Mumbai on an empathetic victory. Will they be the first team to win the IPL after finishing fourth in the league stage? Sehwag tweeted.

Akash Madhwal 5 wickets in the tie after the 4 he took in the last league game which was a do or die game. It’s a pleasure to see newcomers do well. This is the season where a lot of the experienced guys have had a great season and a lot of newcomers have made a big mark._ pic.twitter.com/ofZI0yk8af

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 24, 2023

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand pacemaker Madhwal said he was only biding his time to perform for Mumbai Indians. “He was just practicing and waiting for this opportunity. I did my engineering and played tennis ball cricket because it was my passion. Engineers have a tendency to learn early! I just practice, and that’s what we run. I’m proud of myself, but I’ll try to be better. Bumrah bhai has his own place, and I’m just trying to play a part. Nicholas Pooran was the better wicket. Everyone at home thinks I’m working hard,” Madhwal said at the post-match presentation.

The Mumbai Indians will now take on the defending champions Gujarat Titans in the Qualifier 2 match on Friday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to earn the right to play Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2023 final on Sunday.