Picture Credit : Twitter / IPL
Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss in front of the packed crowd at Wankhede and asked Delhi Capitals bat first. With a new name and some new signings Delhi Capitals are keen to make an impact in the season 12 of the IPL. And they certainly did that in this encounter with the Mumbai Indians.
Though Prithvi Shaw fell early for 7 and soon skipper Shreya Iyer, out for 16 just when he looked dangerous , the Capitals were rocked . But making comeback to the Delhi side after his 12 years , seasoned India opener Shikhar Dhawan showed his experience at the top . He scored a fine anchoring 43 off 36 balls . Giving him fine support was another big – hitter South African Colin Ingram . Ingram after looking at the pitch got going and hammered 47 off 32 balls. This was calm before the storm.
But the Delhi Capitals innings got the momentum and the blistering push towards the final overs thanks to Rishabh Pant . In a fantastic exhibition of power hitting, Pant smashed the Mumbai Indian bowlers all over the ground with his amazing range of shots. Mumbai bowlers had no idea where to bowl. Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma was shaking his head in disbelief. Team owner Nita Ambani looked worried. Mentor Sachin Tendulkar looked glum.
Pant was unstoppable. His power knock silenced the Mumbai home crowd . His innings a blistering 27 ball unbeaten 78 . Studded with 7 towering sixes and same number of fours. It was Pant’s heroics that powered Delhi Capitals to a huge 213 / 6 in their 20 overs.
A knock that virtually stakes his claim to be the second wicket- keeper slot to Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the World Cup. A couple of innings like these will surely end the debate for sure.
Mumbai Indians bowling fell apart and the figures said it all Mitchell McClenaghan 3/ 40 ( 4 Overs) , Jasprit Bumrah 1/ 40 ( 4 overs) ,
Hardik Pandya had a miserable outing . Flopping with both bat ( 0) and ball as well. Returning with a new Tattoo after back injury Hardik was smashed 1/ 41 off 4 overs. Brother Krunal 2 overs for 21 and Ben Cutting 2 overs 1/ 27.
In reply , Mumbai Indian skipper Rohit Sharma opening batting fell for 14 to Ishant Sharma. South African Quinton De Kock took the fight with a quick 27 off 16. He fell when he was looking good. Kieron Pollard too hit some big shots in his short innings of 21 . The Delhi Capitals target was stiff one .
37 year- old Yuvraj Singh showed flashes of his old self played some fine strokes and scored 53 off 35 balls. But he too was running out of partners. Mumbai could only reach 179/ 9 in 201 overs. Delhi Capitals winning by 37 runs.
Jasprit Bumrah due to shoulder injury did not come out to bat
For Delhi Capitals Ishant Sharma took 2 for 34 ( 4 overs) Trent Boult 1/ 42 ( 4 overs) . kagiso Rabada bowled with serious pace and superb control to bag 2/ 23 ( 4 overs) While likes of Axar Patel, Rahul Tewatia ( who also took four catches) and Keemo Paul took a wicket each to complete a fine all – round show.
