After Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma helped Mumbai Indians get a head start over Delhi Capitals in their run chase, Tim David and Cameron Green maintained their composure to secure a victory on the very last ball. When Rohit and Tilak left the pitch, the hosts, who had been bowled out for 172, appeared to be headed for yet another crushing defeat, but they made an effort to rally in the final few overs. They almost did, but Green and David united at the crease to push their team across the finish line just in time.
The manic death overs
Rohit Sharma fought off his batting sluggishness and tonked his way to a 29-ball half-century as Mumbai Indians were coasting in the chase. Up until a thrilling 16th over from Mukesh Kumar, he and Tilak Varma maintained control of the action. Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav, and Mustafizur all let up four, five, and two runs in their previous overs, increasing the pressure and asking rate on MI prior to this one. Tilak attempted to remove the chains and hit Mukesh for two sixes before falling while attempting a third. When Suryakumar Yadav smacked the first ball he faced straight to Kuldeep Yadav at fine leg, MI were further shaken.
Delhi Capitals found themselves in control when Mustafizur caught Rohit in the next over. Nortje bowled an outstanding over at Tim David and Cameron Green, giving up just six runs while there were 26 needed off 18 balls. However, the batting pair carried Mustafizur for two massive sixes in the penultimate over, leaving him with just five runs to defend in the final over. With two runs needed off the penultimate ball, the MI pair were able to advance their team while Nortje successfully dragged the game to the final delivery.
MI fly in pursuit
Ishan Kishan and Rohit Kishan finally had the touch and timing this season. Even Anrich Nortje, a seasoned bowler, was not exempt from the damage as he let up 15 runs in his third over after Mukesh Kumar and Mustafizur Rahman had both given up 27 runs in their previous two. Lalit Yadav was introduced by David Warner in the fourth over in an attempt to emulate Rohit Sharma, but he was unable to duplicate the success of the first innings. Each of the two openers hit Axar Patel for a four when play began in the subsequent over. By the time the PowerPlay was up, Kishan had crushed 30* (19) and Rohit had sprinted to 37* (17) as MI reached 68/0.
No break in the action?
Not right away.
Ishan Kishan’s dismissal happened against the flow of the game due to a misunderstanding between him and Rohit. The left-hander was dismissed for 31 runs off of 26 balls, but Tilak was brought in to join his captain in a solid second-wicket partnership that would decide the game. Before Tilak was dismissed, the two scored 68 runs together, setting up a thrilling conclusion to the match.
What will the two sides do next?
While Mumbai Indians enjoy a four-day vacation before hosting Kolkata Knight Riders at home on Sunday, Delhi Capitals travel to Bangalore to play RCB on Saturday.