Mumbai Indians (MI) rendered a clinical exhibition as they swept Shreyas Iyer-led Delhi Capitals (DC) by 57 runs in Dubai to gain a spot in the finals of IPL 2020.
This was MI’s third win of the season against DC, and now they are one victory away from snatching their 5th IPL title. Speaking on the Qualifiers-1 triumph, MI skipper Rohit Sharma felt it was their best performance this season.
“I guess this is the best performance. The way de Kock and SKY took the momentum after O got out early was good to see. Perfect result for us,” Rohit said in the post-match presentation.
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After losing the toss, Mumbai Indians were asked to bat first. The Men in Blur had one of the most desired starts to the contest with opener Quinton de Kock hitting 3 fours and a total of 15 runs in the first over.
Though Rohit (0) was dismissed by spinner Ravichandra Ashwin in the second over, Suryakumar Yadav (51, 38b), with his flurry of boundaries, forged a 62-run stand alongside de Kock (40, 25b). And thus, MI’s score read 63/1 at the end of the powerplay.
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Rohit spoke that they didn’t prepare for a set target and rather capitalized well in the powerplay knowing their team has the hitting power in the end.
“We never had a target in mind. We are a different team and we play differently. We just wanted to have a good powerplay and then take it from there. We knew we have the power to accelerate at the end,” said the Mumbaikar.
Interestingly, MI looked pretty dominant even after losing out four-wickets and the score now being 101 in 12.2 overs. Ishan Kishan, who came out to bat at No 3, struck a crucial 55* off 30 deliveries, and he was assisted by Hardik Pandya who clobbered 14-ball 37* with 5 sixes and a strike rate of over 260.
The duo added an unbeaten 60 run stand for the sixth-wicket and steered the Mumbai Indians to 200 runs at the end of 20 overs.
“Ishan has been in just great form, so we just wanted him to be really positive after the second time out. We told that to Krunal as well, just bat positively and put the bowlers under pressure.”
Bumrah and Boult have been in solid form, says Rohit Sharma
In the bowling department, Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah have been spot on throughout IPL 2020.
Boult is third on the list of leading wicket-takers with 22 scalpings, averaging under 20, and best figures being 4/18. Bumrah, on the other hand, is enjoying the purple cap with 27 wickets at a jaw-dropping average and economy of 13.92 and 6.71 respectively.
The duo has been phenomenal in restricting the runs in the powerplay and death overs, and one of the core reasons behind MI’s dominance this season.
Boult had a bit of a niggle so he came out after bowling a couple of overs, but not before he pocketed Prithvi Shaw and Ajinkya Rahane for ducks.
“I have not seen him (Boult). But he seems okay. I don’t think it is a big problem. Three-day rest and he should be back in the park.”
Rohit added how Bumrah and Boult, with the skills they bring to the table, have been successful in affecting the dismissals.
“Bumrah and Boult have been in solid form. They play for different teams so they have different plans. We as a team have different plans and it is great to see them execute those.”
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Mumbai Indians will now be gearing up for one last battle that will take place on November 10 in Dubai.
Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Eliminator match in Abu Dhabi on Friday, the winner of which would compete against Delhi Capitals in Qualifiers-2 on November 8.
 skipper Rohit Sharma lauded the team's effort after the comfortable win over Delhi Capitals (DC) in Qualifiers-1 in Dubai.){kind=link}