Abu Dhabi: Two brilliant half centuries by Quinton de Kock (53, 36b, 4×4, 3×6) and Surykumar Yadav (53, 32b, 6×4, 1×6) helped Mumbai Indians (MI) overcome the challenge of table toppers Delhi Capitals (DC) here Sunday by five wickets. Chasing a competitive total of 162 for four posted by Delhi Capitals, the Rohit Sharma led MI overhauled the target with two balls to spare.
It was an all-round display that helped MI win the game easily. They did not give away any easy runs to the opposition and fielded well. And in spite Rohit and Hardik Pandya failing with the bat, MI showed that they had enough depth to ease to a victory.
Both De Kock and Yadav batted with free abandon as they took on the likes of Kagiso Rabada (2/28) and company. Yadav, strong on the leg-side played some delightful shots while South African De Kock played some flowing drives in front of the wicket. Ishan Kishan (28, 15b, 2×4, 2×6) also played a sweet cameo before Kieron Pollard (11 n o) and Krunal Pandya (12 n o) finished off the game.
Earlier Shikhar Dhawan (69 n o, 52b, 6×4, 1×6)anchored the innings as DC posted a competitive total against MI. He was involved in a 75-run stand for the third wicket with DC skipper Shreyas Iyer (42, 33, 5×4) after the team had lost Prithvi Shaw (4) and Ajinkya Rahane early.
Dhawan gave himself enough time to play sheet anchor’s role even as MI bowlers did a decent job in the slog overs to not let the batsmen play too many big shots.
Rahane, playing his first game of the season, was trapped in front of the wicket by Krunal (2/26). MI skipper Rohit Sharma brought Krunal into the attack early simply because Rahane often struggles against left-arm spinners.
With in-form Iyer and Dhawan at the crease, the boundaries came here and there. It kept the scoreboard ticking at a decent run-rate. Iyer’s trademark along the ground-strokes played with straight bat, were effective and a treat to watch. Dhawan chugged along nicely as the two batsmen formed a substantial partnership.
Krunal broke the stand by getting rid of Iyer, who was holed out to Boult at deep mid-wicket.
Brief scores: DC 162 for 4 (Shikhar Dhawan 69 n o, Shreyas Iyer 42, Krunal Pandya 2/26) lost to MI 166 for five in 19.4 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 53, Quinton de Kock 53, Kagiso Rabada 2/28) by five wickets.
