New Delhi:
Delhi Capitals had done a good job of restricting Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2019 clash at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Thursday. On a pitch that was slow, low and making strokeplay difficult, Mumbai Indians had crawled to 118/4 in 17 overs. However, in the 18th over bowled by Keemo Paul, Krunal Pandya got going with a four while Hardik Pandya blasted a six and a four as 17 runs came in the 18th over. The expensive over by Paul resulted in a total momentum change and Hardik tore into Chris Morris with another four and six in the 19th over. Hardik unleashed the helicopter shot on Kagiso Rabada and despite falling for 32 off 15 balls, Krunal ended the innings in style with two boundaries in the last over.
The assault by the Pandya brothers helped Mumbai Indians smash 50 runs in the last three overs. Delhi Capitals found the going tough in the second innings and they crumbled to a 40-run loss. The win helped Mumbai Indians snap their losing streak against the Delhi Capitals and it put them in a good position to qualify for the playoffs. Speaking after the end of the match, Delhi Capitals skipper Shreyas Iyer lamented the bowling in the death overs.
“It is important for us to win the home games. Especially on these wickets. We lost the toss as well and they outplayed us in all three departments. Credit to them. A lot of concern as far as the death overs were concerned. It wasn't easy to bat in the second innings. The ball was stopping. It was difficult for the new batters. The last three overs were game-changing. We would have chased. That is what we had on our minds. We have been chasing in all our away games as well. We gave away 20 runs more on this wicket,” Iyer said.
Hardik Pandya won the Man of the Match award for his 32 off 15 balls and said he was hitting the ball better than ever. “Even I was telling myself that I don't think I've ever hit the ball better. I have been working hard in the nets and it has been coming off well for me. I like to keep the basics straight, even in the death if you keep your shape and hope for bowlers to miss, you can hit hard. I am using my brain well, reading the wicket well in this season. I have five more games to go and then the playoffs, and I hope to keep going like this through the season,” Hardik Pandya said.
Mumbai Indians will now take on Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh stadium while Delhi Capitals will take on Kings XI Punjab on Sunday at the Kotla.
