This was one of the most crucial match of the IPL so far this season as both Mumbai and Delhi aspired for the top 4 and this clash could end up deciding who takes up the 4th position by the end of the league round. And Mumbai Indians took a stride forward with an emphatic win over their rivals.
After being put to bat, a Krunal Pandya inspired Mumbai Indians razed the bowling attack of Delhi as they posted a mammoth score of 206 for their bowlers to defend.
And defend they did as Jasprit Bunmrah’s magical spell bundled out the Daredevils’ batting line up without much fuss. They had no clue of what hit them. Despite all that, however, qualification for the play-off is still in their hands.
As Mumbai took a giant step in their pursuit of qualification, there were plenty of memorable moments from the match that don't fade away, quite like the Axe Signature range of body perfumes. Let's take a look at the top 5:
#1 Martin Guptill’s start
It seems like the Mumbai Indians have final opened their eyes as they gave the talented Kiwi batsman a chance to feature in the team. Guptill is one of the best hitters of the ball and leaving him out after just a game’s tryout was a befuddling decision.
However, with Mumbai going through a rough patch of form, they shuffled the team and in came Guptill. This was the chance he was waiting for—and he grabbed it with both hands.
He gave Mumbai a steady start with a well played 48 off 42—a slower-than-usual knock, but it was the perfect support role for...
#2 Krunal Pandya’s fury
This is a man who is full of surprises. Never did one think that he could come up with the performances that he has done in this year’s IPL. Not just that, many thought that he won’t even be the better Pandya.
And after 13 games of IPL 2016 for the Mumbai Indians, one can easily claim that he has been one of the best players in the tournament.
Against Delhi Daredevils, he showed his true capabilities as he smacked—in what was the truest representation of the word—86 off just 37 balls. His innings was what took his team over 200 barrier when they weren’t expected to reach anywhere near that mark.
#3 Zaheer against the tide
As Mumbai Indians batsmen picked on every bowler of the Daredevils, one man stood like a mountain in the blizzard—and it was India’s best pacer of this era, Zaheer Khan.
There was a time when the Indian team had no quality pace line-up—something they lack even now. During those days, it was Zaheer Khan who got them going and more than carried his team forward with his brilliance.
Against Mumbai, where none of his bowling counterparts went for less than 8.50 runs an over, he ended up with figures of 23 for 1 in his 4 overs, showing that he still has it in him.
#4 Another solid knock from De Kock
It could now be said, without any debates, that Quinton de Kock has officially joined the ‘elite openers’ list with his consistent magnificence. He might have a face that oozes innocence, but don’t fall for it—he is merciless when it comes to slaughtering the ball.
A 200+ target always requires a good start and Delhi didn’t have one thanks to Mayank Agarwal falling cheaply. It didn’t help the cause as both Karun Nair and Sanju Samson also perished quickly. However, despite all that, he managed to make 40 run while playing just 28 balls in the process.
#5 Bumrah goes from strength to strength
A lot was expected from young Jasprit Bumrah when the tournament began. He came on the back of a good World T20 and Asia Cup. Something similar was expected from Hardik Pandya as well, but he failed to replicate his good form.
Jasprit Bumrah, however, has done a great job thus far.
With a score as big as 207 to defend, Bumrah and his bowling partners always had the advantage. And he grabbed them with both hands with a spell that finished the chase even before it started. In his 4 overs, he gave away only 13 runs while taking 3 wickets in the process.
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