An all-round exhibition witnessed the Mumbai Indians (MI) storm their way to the finals of IPL 2020. Led by Rohit Sharma, the four-time champions posted 200 runs in 20 overs and succeeded in defending the target by 57 runs in the Qualifier-1 stage in Dubai on Thursday. When asked about the loss, Delhi Capitals skipper Shreyas Iyer mentioned how it is never too late to bounce back from such a defeat.
“I don’t want to speak negatively about the team, but going forward it is important to come with a strong mindset. It is never too late and we will see to it that we come back strongly,” said Shreyas in the post-match presentation.
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Mumbai Indians came up with one of their best bowling performances in IPL history, dismissing the top-order trio of Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, and Ajinkya Rahane for a duck each, and the DC scorecard being reduced to 0/3 in 1.2 overs.
The likes of Shreyas Iyer (12) and Rishabh Pant (3) couldn’t come up with a mega-knock that could have set a winning foundation. Among DC, the highest run-getters were Marcus Stoinis (65, 46b) and Axar Patel (42, 33b) who forged a 71-run stand for the sixth-wicket and kept the runs incoming for the Shreyas Iyer-led unit.
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Jasprit Bumrah was rightly adjudged as the ‘Player of the Match’ for his mind-boggling figures of 4-1-14-4. Trent Boult bowled a couple of overs and picked 2/19 with a maiden. Nathan Coulter Nile (0/27) and Kieron Pollard (1/36) got a bit expensive at the later stages. Among the spinners, Krunal Pandya (1/22) garnered decent figures followed by Rahul Chahar (0/35) in his two overs.
Delhi Capitals had opted to bowl first and though and at one stage they looked in complete control of the situation. Mumbai Indians had lost the wickets of Suryakumar Yadav (51) and Kieron Pollard (0) in a span of few deliveries, and the score read 101/4 in 12.2 overs. However, DC bowlers could garner just a sole wicket after this stage and ended up conceding 60 runs in the last four overs.
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Shreyas mentioned how things could have been different had they picked few more wickets and restricted Rohit Sharma & Co to a score around 170.
“I think we were on top when we got two quick wickets, and they were 102-4. We could have capitalized more at that time, and gotten two more wickets. Maybe we could have chased around 170, but it is part and parcel of the game. Every night can’t be yours,” said the 25-year-old.
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DC hasn’t been able to gather wins in the later stages of IPL 2020. They have lost 4 out of the last 5 matches, but Iyer mentioned how it is important to have a strong mindset, especially when in a bubble and making preparations.
“We keep talking about the opportunities that we get and it is important to have a good mindset. It is not easy to be in the bubble and follow the same routine, but with the practice, we have done over the last few days, I am really happy with the boys and their preparations,” said the Mumbai-born cricketer.
Ravi Ashwin was a big positive for us tonight, says Shreyas Iyer
In spite of the defeat, the biggest positive for the Delhi-based franchise was their ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin who got the better of MI openers – Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma, and Kieron Pollard. Shreyas highlighted how Ashwin was instrumental in DC getting back into the game as he ended his 4 overs with 3/29.
“Ravi Ashwin was positive for us tonight. He plays around with the batsmen’s head a lot. Really good to have him in the team, and he is quite an asset for us, especially me as a captain.”
MI’s batters have been a big contributor to their triumphs in the concurrent season. Right from the top order – Quinton de Kock, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar Yadav to their middle-order comprising Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, and Hardik Pandya – all have been in great touch with the bat and a scoring chunk of runs when needed.
“All their batsmen are in great touch and Hardik/Pollard down the order are incredible. You cannot control the situation when all the batsmen are in good touch, but we will look to do better in the next game,” added Shreyas before signing off.
Delhi Capitals will play the winner of the Eliminator between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Qualifiers-2 on November 8 in Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
