Game Vs MI . I had a bad day at Pant’s office
In what can only be described as a scary game for Delhi Capitals, MI beat them by 5 wickets to finish high and make way for RCB, which qualifies for IPL 2022 playoff
Already out of contention, MI played party-poopers as they previously limited DC to 159 for 7. Jasprit Bumrah Picking three wickets and then overhauling the target in 19.1 overs, the 2020 finalist was ruled out of the tournament.
While Ishan Kishan (48) and Dewald Brevis (37) kept MI in the hunt, it was Tim David’s 11-ball 34 that brought the five-time champions into the chase. Tilak Verma also played an important innings of 21 runs in 17 balls.
With MI at 95 for 3 in 14.3 overs, DC skipper Rishabh Pant made a strategic mistake as he refused to go for the DRS after David was dismissed on the first ball of his innings, but the on-field umpire Didn’t give him out.
It came back to haunt DC as David hit fours and sixes to bring the equation down to 15 off 14 balls. Ramandeep then provided the final touch with 13 runs in six balls. DC finished fifth with 14 points, while RCB joined Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants in the playoffs with 16 points.
Defending the total, left arm fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed Looked in good form as he bowled sensationally in the first two overs, conceding only 2. He mainly bowled full outside the off-stump to trouble the openers. Rohit Sharma (2). Enrique Nortje finally ended Rohit’s struggle with the MI skipper thumping one at mid-on.
After this, Ishaan and Brevis added 51 runs in 37 balls, but Kuldeep Yadav (1/33) broke the partnership with David Warner and took a fine catch to get rid of the former.
Brevis attacked the opposition and hit two sixes and a boundary off Kuldeep for what they could have had, but skipper Pant dropped a sitter in the 12th over to add to the bowler’s pain.
However, Brevis pulled one over his stump as MI rolled to 95 for 3 in the 15th over. After that, it was a David Show who hit a six over deep mid-wicket off Shardul Thakur.
David and Verma added 13 runs in the 16th over with a four and a six. After this, Khaleel conceded 17 runs and David hit a four and a six. Needing 29 off 18 balls, David smashed Shardul for two sixes and also completed a fifty-run stand to reduce the equation to 15 off 13 balls. In the end, Thakur removed David, who hit a full toss. Prithvi Shaw On extra cover but by then it was too late.
Earlier, the MI bowlers led by Bumrah (3/25) left DC at 50 for 4 in 8.4 overs, but Rovman Powell and skipper Pant (39 off 33 balls) took the lead to revive the innings. Scored 75 off 44 balls and took them to a decent total.
Daniel Sams (1/30) and Riley Meredith (0/9 in 2 overs) bowled well, as well as the spin duo of Mayank Markande (1/26) and Hrithik Shuken (0/34). Ramandeep Singh (2/29 in 2 overs) also managed to take two wickets.
After recovering from typhoid, Shaw (24) looked to be in good spirits but Sams’ first breakthrough came when he got Warner caught by Bumrah at short third man.
Bumrah then turned up the heat as he first found the outside edge of Mitchell Marsh with Rohit and then returned with an unstoppable bouncer to send Shaw back.
It was time for Markande to shine as Sarfaraz Khan struck one outside off-stump to see DC reduced to 50 for four in the ninth over. Shokeen and Markande bowled together, with DC making their lowest score this season – 55 for four.
Pant dropped the anchor while Powell smashed Shokeen for 20 runs in the 12th over with two boundaries and a boundary. Markande was next in line as Powell deposited him at long-off before MI gave him a by-four.
Meredith bowled a tough over, conceding just two runs. Ramandeep bowled three wides and hit a six and a four before taking the wicket of Pant off his final ball.
Powell then pulled Bumrah to deep square leg while Axar Patel (19 not out) hit a timely six off Sams’ delivery. However, Bumrah produced his trademark toe-crushing yorker to sabotage Powell’s rhythm and almost had another wicket, only if Brevis could take the catch with one hand.
Ramandeep took a wicket in the last over which got 11 runs.
(Inputs PTI)