‘I knew I would get my five-wicket haul’ - Akash Madhwal reveals Rohit Sharma’s message during historic 5/5

Akash Madhwal produced one of the most devastating bowling performances in Indian Premier League history during the 2023 Eliminator between Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants in Chennai on May 24. Playing at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Madhwal claimed five wickets for just five runs in 3.3 overs, dismantling LSG's batting order as MI won by 81 runs after scoring 182-8. The performance remains the best-ever bowling figures in IPL playoff history.

Madhwal has now credited Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma with playing a decisive role in helping him achieve this record-breaking milestone. The pacer revealed how Sharma's tactical acumen and motivational approach during the match directly contributed to his success on the night. Madhwal's figures of 5-5 made him the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul in IPL playoffs or knockout matches, and his performance ranks joint-best by an Indian in IPL history.

Rohit Sharma brought Madhwal back for the fourth over with the specific objective of securing the final wicket needed to complete the five-wicket haul. Madhwal had already claimed four wickets and required one more to reach the milestone. During this crucial over, Sharma provided direct tactical instruction to guide the bowler's approach.

"I knew I would get my five-wicket haul because Bhaiya (Rohit Sharma) was pressuring me, saying, 'Akash, you have to get the fifth one,' as I had already taken four. So, Bhaiya brought me on for the fourth over and told me, 'Akash, bowl and take the wicket.' If you watch that over, my fourth over, Mohsin Khan was batting, and I was bowling over the wicket. After I bowled two balls from over the wicket, Bhaiya came over and said, 'No, Akash, bowl round the wicket.' Then I bowled the third ball from round the wicket, and I got the wicket," Madhwal said to Sports Tak.

The pacer explained that he was unaware of the exact nature of his achievement until after the match concluded. Madhwal had taken five wickets but did not realise the precise margin by which he had done so. His focus during the match remained on executing the captain's instructions rather than tracking the runs conceded.

"So, in a way, Bhaiya played a huge role in that figure, but even then, I didn't know I had taken five for five. I knew I had taken five, but I didn't know I had taken them for five runs. When everything was finished, we went back to the dressing room, and Ishan told me, 'Akash, it's a record that you took five wickets for five runs.' That's when I found out I had set a record by taking five wickets for five runs." Madhwal added.

Rohit Sharma's captaincy approach and player development

Madhwal also highlighted Rohit Sharma's broader captaincy approach and how it shaped his development as a player during the 2023 IPL season. The captain's strategy of introducing him gradually into the playing XI and understanding his strengths proved instrumental in his overall performance. During the 2023 season, Madhwal claimed 14 wickets in 8 games at an average of 15.64, with a strike rate of 10.9 and an economy rate of 8.58.

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"Bhaiya's captaincy is world-class. I don't know if it's the calmness or just what comes after playing so much cricket, but the way Bhaiya reads the game is exceptional. Like, if you look at when he first put me in the playing XI, he didn't give me the new ball at all. He didn't give it to me for three whole matches. After three matches, when I got comfortable, and because Bhaiya knew my strength was Yorkers, he used to save me for the death overs," Madhwal explained.

"After three matches, when I got comfortable, and because Bhaiya knew my strength was Yorkers, he used to save me for the death overs. “So, once he got me into the game, made me feel comfortable and at ease, only then did he start giving me the new ball in the fourth game. As a captain, I rate him very highly because when he introduced me on such a big platform, he introduced me based on my strength, knowing I would do well in the death overs," he added.