The Delhi Daredevils notched up their third win on the trot defeating Mumbai Indians by 10 runs to make their way up to the second spot in the 2016 IPL.
Put in to bat by Rohit Sharma, Sanju Samson and JP Duminy helped Delhi register 164 runs in their 20 overs before a disciplined bowling effort saw the hosts condemn Mumbai to their fourth defeat in six matches.
Also read: IPL 2016, Stats: Rohit Sharma knock not enough to give Mumbai Indians win against Delhi Daredevils
Despite RCB successfully defending their total in Friday's match against the Rising Pune Supergiants, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma opted to follow the successful mantra in the ongoing IPL thus far – winning the toss and opting to field first.
The bowlers seemed to vindicate the captain's decision early on with three quick wickets, but Sanju Samson steadied the ship for Delhi before JP Duminy provided the late flourish for Zaheer Khan's men to help the Daredevils post 164 in their 20 overs – an above par score at the Feroz Shah Kotla.
Rohit, Ambati Rayudu and Krunal Pandya gave the visitors a breezy start in their run-chase, but the Delhi bowlers came back strongly to swing the match back in favour of the hosts and ultimately win the match by a margin of 10 runs.
There were several memorable moments from the match that don't fade away, quite like the Axe Signature range of body perfumes. Here are 5 of the best:
Sanju Samson steps up
One of the most interesting piece of statistics heading into the match was that 46% of Delhi Dardevils' runs in the 2016 IPL thus far had come off Quinton de Kock's bat. The South African seemed intent on carrying forward his good run with the bat as he smacked two delightful boundaries off the first two balls but found his innings cut short by Mitchell McClenaghan, who cramped him for room outside the off-stump.
The dismissal meant someone needed to step up from the Delhi ranks and it was Sanju Samson, who played a matured innings to keep the Daredevils innings together.
The dismissals of Shreyas Iyer and Karun Nair meant Samson had to keep his scoring instincts in check and steady the ship along with the experienced Duminy. The wicketkeeper-batsman did just that bringing up a well deserved half century along the way and was dismissed was 60 as he looked to go after the big shots towards the end.
JP Duminy's late flourish
Removed as skipper of the side and overshadowed by his Proteas teammate Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy has been struggling to make an impact in the IPL so far, but he certainly put a foot in the right direction with his unbeaten knock of 49 today.
While Sanju Samson provided the stability that the Delhi Daredevils needed following three early wickets, it was Duminy who helped the side cross the par score on the Kotla pitch with some meaty blows towards the end.
Duminy's knock included three boundaries and two sixes, but it was in running between the wickets that he excelled, especially forging a useful 39-run partnership with Pawan Negi that helped the Daredevils cross the 160-run mark.
Rohit Sharma back in the groove
After a less than convincing World T20 campaign, Rohit Sharma is looking like coming back to his best. It is no secret that the 28-year-old loves the responsibility of leading the Mumbai Indians franchise and even more so his love affair with the Eden Gardens.
The match-winning knock against KKR looks to have brought the right-hander back into his groove and as we all know, stopping Rohit once he gets going will take some doing.
The skipper led from the front with his 48-ball 65, but unfortunately, couldn't help his team cross the finish line as his innings came to a painful end, colliding with Hardik Pandya and subsequently being run out.
Krunal Pandya continues to impress
The 2015 IPL brought Hardik Pandya into the limelight and the 2016 edition, though still in its infancy, have brought similar attention to Krunal Pandya. An all-rounder very much like his younger brother, Krunal caught the world's attention with a high fee at the IPL auctions itself, but he has more than justified his price tag with his contributions so far. Today was no different as he chipped in with both bat and bowl.
Krunal bowled four economical overs before taking the match away from Delhi with a number of mighty blows after being sent in to bat at No 4. He overshadowed his skipper who was going at a brisk rate himself striking at a rate of more than 200. He could have done more damage, but was unfortunately run out for 36 off 17 balls.
Leg-spin twins Amit Mishra and Imran Tahir win it for Delhi
Eyebrows were raised when Delhi Daredevils decide to drop the hard-hitting Carlos Brathwaite in favour of South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir making their overseas line-up an all-Proteas affair.
Though he failed to pick up any wicket, Tahir conceded only 29 runs off his four overs despite feeling the heat of Krunal Pandya's bat, thus playing a crucial role in curtailing the Mumbai Indians' run-rate. The night, however, belonged to his less-fancied leg-spin companion Amit Mishra who troubled the opposition batsmen all-day long.
Delhi seem to have got a bargain buy with the way Mishra has been performing so far. He was instrumental in their eight-wicket victory over the Kings XI Punjab that kickstarted their run of three consecutive victories and he played a crucial role tonight as well, striking at two key moments to give Delhi the ascendancy on the night. He outfoxed Ambati Rayudu first and then more crucially Jos Buttler, with googlies, to give his side two crucial breakthroughs.
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