IPL 2024: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals, 20th Match - Who Said What?

The Mumbai Indians finally got off the mark after an underwhelming start to the IPL season. After registering their first victory by a convincing margin of 29 runs, the Hardik Pandya-led side further compounded the misery on the Delhi Capitals. With their fourth loss, DC sit at the bottom of the points table.

A couple of 39s by the lower-middle order batters, preceded by a quickfire start from the openers, as well as Tim David coming good with 45* (21) propelled the home team to a score of 234/5 in their 20. Axar Patel was the pick of the lot as far as DC's bowlers were concerned, picking up two crucial wickets of MI's openers while going for only 35 in his quota.

Coming onto the chase, DC were honestly neck-and-neck with MI for the bulk of the run-chase (the end of the 17th over to be precise, with them being five runs ahead of where MI were, losing the same number of wickets). However, a clinical bowling display at the end proved to be too much for DC, who fell short at the end.

Talking Points

1. Openers blast their way through the first six for MI

After a lukewarm start to the campaign for both the openers of MI, Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan had their breakaway moment when they got hold of DC's bowlers in the powerplay. They maximised the fielding restrictions to the utmost, putting on 75 in the first six on a pitch which looked slightly on the slower side for the most part of the first innings.

2. Robust Romario comes to MI's rescue

MI were 202/5 at the end of the 19th over, with the relatively new Romario Shepherd on strike to face Anrich Nortje, with the Guyanese facing only the four deliveries till then. The mighty man from the West Indies absolutely obliterated the South African speedster in the final over of the innings, with the all-rounder bashing all the six deliveries for boundaries - two fours and four towering sixes, to end up on 39* (10), ultimately proving to be the difference between the two sides at the end.

3. Double delight for the 23-year-old prodigies from Proteas

Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee, both playing for opposing teams, had a field day at work, with both of them impressing one and all with their prowess, with the bat and the ball, respectively. While Stubbs clobbered his way to an unbeaten 71 off 25, which for the most part, kept DC in the reckoning, the energetic pacer from the home side exhibited exactly why he's hyped around to be the next Dale Steyn, with his searing pace and dynamic bowling doing the trick for MI at the end, conceding just four and picking three in the final over of the match.

Also Read: Watch: Axar Patel plucks one out of thin air to send Kishan packing

Who Said What?

Losing skipper Rishabh Pant:

 "I feel we didn't have enough runs in the Powerplay. Yes, tried to change it afterwards but when pressure mounts on you with asking rate crossing 15-16, it's very difficult. One over here and there can change the momentum, either we can look to play the blame game or look to improve on that. The wicket was good to bat on, slower ones were sticking on the wicket. Will look to improve power play [batting] and death bowling."

 Winning skipper Hardik Pandya:

"I would like to have this feeling [of being the winning captain] more often than not. Lot of hard work, hard to clear our minds, and everything clicked. We will be making some tactical changes here and there but more often than not, this will be our XII. Settling of the team is important. There was a lot of love and care going around, everyone knows we lost three games but the belief and backing was there, everyone believes we needed just one win and today was the start. I mean amazing, to start with 77 after six is always wonderful. The way everyone was batting, we needed rhythm to bat, the way everyone is chipping in with the opportunity coming in was fantastic. That was some hitting from Romario, he won us the game. The difference was his innings. I like him, he always has a smile of his face, doesn't run away, very proud of the way he played, proud of the team. All good, will be bowling at the right time. Had it covered, so didn't need to roll my arm over."

Player of the Match Romario Shepherd:

"Yeah, it made me proud, my hardwork has paid off. Hardik told me to express myself on his way out. In these situations, got to just keep eyes on the ball. Don't need to be tentative. Keep a clear mind."

Also Read: IPL 2024: Mumbai Indians' 1st Innings Highlights against DC in Match 20