(DC) crashed out of the tournament after a five-wicket loss to Mumbai Indians (MI) in their last Indian Premier League group stage encounter, at the Wanked Stadium on Saturday.
DC loss allowed Royal Challengers Bangalore (16 points) to grab a playoff spot. As I moved closer to victory, the crowd replaced their ‘Mumbai’ chants with ‘RCB, RCB’.
Set a target of 160, MI started poorly and stuttered to 27 for one at the end of the Power Play. The home team only got going in the 10th over, bowled by Kuldeep, when Ishaan (48, 35b, 3x4, 4x6) and Breves (37, 33b, 1x4, 3x6) let loose.
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playoffs spot, faces LSG in (21, 17b, 1x4, 1x6) and Tim David (34, 11b, 2x4, 4x6) then got together to step on the gas. David, in particular, was brutal in his approach. Going at a strike rate of over 300, he was instrumental in pulling the asking rate down. By the time took David out, MI was within touching distance of victory.
DC captain Rishabh Pant blundered when he decided not to review a nick behind in the very first ball that David faced. Pant decided to have two reviews available at his disposal. David’s explosive second life meant that this blunder could have well cost DC a playoff spot.
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Earlier, a fine bowling performance helped MI restrict DC to a manageable total. The pacer was the most effective, taking three crucial wickets. He struck in the fourth over, inducing an edge from Mitchell Marsh. The Australian, who made the fifties in his previous two outings, were taken out for a golden duck.
(24, 23b, 2x4, 1x6) was stung by a searing bouncer, which tailed back in towards the throat. Shaw fended uncomfortably, lost balance, and popped the ball to the wicket-keeper.
Rishabh Pant (39, 33b, 4x4, 1x6) and (43, 34b, 1x4, 4x6) rebuilt the DC innings with a 75-run fifth-wicket partnership. Skipper Pant played a patient hand, while Powell showed good intent by hitting spinner Hrithik for two sixes over mid-wicket in the 12th over.
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The stand was broken when Pant chased and nicked a wide delivery from medium-pacer Ram Singh. Bumrah returned to the attack and struck Powell’s off stump. The pinpoint proved to be too good for Powell, who brought his bat down much later.
Patel smashed a couple of maximums to add some substance to the DC total. DC was helped by some sloppy MI fielding.
Ram went for 29 runs off two overs, but picked up two wickets. The Leg spinner was economical, finishing with tidy figures of one for 26 in his four overs.
Delhi Capitals exited from the Indian Premier League after losing by five wickets against Mumbai Indians in their must-win last league match on Saturday.
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