Chennai: Delhi Capitals (DC) defeated defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) by six wickets in a tense chase in the IPL match at the Chepauk Stadium here last night.
In a low scoring affairs, with the spinners playing a crucial role, DC overhauled MI’s 137 for nine, scoring 138 for four with five balls to spare, for its first win in last six matches.
Starting the chase, DC lost Prithvi Shah early, but in form Shikar Dhawan (45, 42 balls, 5×4, 1×6) anchored the chase along with Steve Smith (33, 29 balls, 4×4) with a 53-run stand for the second wicket.
In fact DC was well-placed at 68 for two at the half way stage, before a couple of quick wickets, brought the holders back into contention.
MI bowlers came back in the hunt with some tight bowling by Trent Boult and offie Jayant Yadav.
While Lalit Yadav, kept one end up with a disciplined knock, Rishab Pant went for a leg side scoop and holed out to Hardik Pandya of Jasprit Bumrah, as DC was in a delicate position with 22 needed in three overs, in what turned out to be a tight and tense chase.
While Lalit Yadav survived a LBW review of Trent Boult, Shimron Hetmyer eased the pressure with an inside out boundary of Boult to bring down the equation to 17 off 15 balls, and five off the last over after Bumrah conceded two no-balls.
Hetmyer hit a four off Pollard and in an anti-climax bowled a full toss above waist height, as DC sealed a six wicket win.
In the end, Lalit Yadav remained unbeaten on 22 (25 balls, 1×4) and Hetyer (14, 9 balls, 2×4) to see the team through.
Amit Mishra scalps four wickets
Leggie Amit Mishra bagged four wickets as Mumbai Indians (MI) decision to bat first nearly boomeranged as it was restricted to 137 for nine. The holders lost wickets at regular intervals and were restricted to a below par score, on a slow wicket, where Amit Mishra exploited the conditions to the hilt.
Except Skipper Rohit Sharma, who top scored with 44 (30, balls, 3×4, 3×6) and meagre contributions from Suryakumar Yadav (24, 15 balls, 4×4) and Ishan Kishan (26, 28 balls 1×4, 1×6), the holders lost the plot in the middle overs.
After the early loss of Quinton de Kock, the second wicket association of 57 runs between Rohit and Yadav raised hopes, but the middle order lost the way as Mishra ripped through the line up.
The big hitters including Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Pollard failed to deliver, holing out out to the deep as Mumbai Indians were restricted to a below par score.
Kudos to Delhi Capitals skipper Rishab Pant, who marshalled his resources well with timely bowling changes to restrict the holders and hope for its first win against MI in the last five encounters.
This post was published on April 21, 2021 5:00 pm