IPL 2019: Match 34, DC vs MI - Who Said What

It was one of those days when nothing worked for the Delhi Capitals (DC). Their three-match winning streak was brought to a screeching halt by the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Feroz Shah Kotla to register a 40-run win and climb to the second position in the points table. DC, however, remain at the third position and they are not much hurt by this loss. Though they will have to find ways to win at home after performing so well in away games.

Chasing a daunting total of 169 runs on a turning Kotla track, Shikhar Dhawan got them off to a brilliant start. He scored 35 off just 22 deliveries but Prithvi Shaw struggling to get going hurt the Capitals. Once the opening partnership was broken, Rahul Chahar ran through the opposition line-up. From 49/0, the hosts crumbled to 76/5 and by then, the contest was ended.

Chahar returned with the figures of 3/19 in his four overs while Colin Munro was castled by Krunal Pandya. Rishabh Pant’s stumps were left in tatters by Jasprit Bumrah and all the hopes of DC were crushed there itself. They could eventually reach only 128 runs for the loss of nine wickets after 20 overs.

Pandya brothers shine for MI

Earlier, MI, after winning the toss, got off to a superb start. But soon after the powerplay overs, the pitch started to turn and Rohit Sharma was castled with a peach by Amit Mishra. Soon their middle-order was sent back and the visitors were in a spot of bother to end up on a meagre total. But with Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya in the middle, they were set for a grand finish.

Krunal was set with last four overs to go while his younger brother smacked the ball literally to rip apart DC’s death bowling. Out of nowhere, Mumbai suddenly scored 168 runs on the board, thanks to Krunal’s 25-ball 37* and Hardik’s 15-ball 32-run knock. Eventually, the score was too much for the home side as Mumbai registered a 40-run victory.

Man of the Match, Hardik Pandya said:

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 play-offs, and I hope to keep going like this through the season.

Mumbai Indians captain, Rohit Sharma said:

After the first two overs that we played, we thought 140 was the good score. Quinny and me had that talk and then luckily towards the end we had wickets in hand and could use our power-hitters to play just the way they’ve been playing.

We then knew we had the spinners, who did the job perfectly. The toss was something where I had made up my mind. Even in the last ODI against Australia we found it tough to chase. I knew that if we got 140-150, we had the bowlers to keep us in the game.

Rahul Chahar was there with us last year, we wanted to get him in even last year where Mayank was playing. He has a good attitude and is clear with what he wants to do. They had left handers and Rahul was confident to bowl to left handers, which is what he told me before the innings.

Jayant was an obvious swap with the number of lefties they had. With Cutting, we wanted him to expolit the new ball and I thought it was a good move to send him up. The top three remains the same and numbers four, five and six depends on the situation and the venue, which is something we’ve conveyed to the boys as well.

Delhi Capitals captain, Shreyas Iyer said:

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. We practice at the nets and those wickets are also slow. When you come here, it is totally different.

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. 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.

[interaction id=”5cb5c7d16fdf9a9036e425e8″]

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from the World Cup 2019, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.