IPL 2019, MI vs DC: 3 reasons why Mumbai lost the match

Delhi Capitals have had a cracking start to this year's edition of Indian Premier League. While Chennai Super Kings deduced Royal Challengers Bangalore to a total of 70 in the IPL 2019 opener and Andre Russel proved worth every penny for the Kolkatta Knight Riders' victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the Delhi Capitals had other plans to set the bar high this past weekend.

The rejuvenated Delhi Capitals with almost everything new about their team, including a new name, a new jersey and new coaching staff, put an overwhelming total of 213 on board at the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs.

The stage was all set for the Mumbai Indians team led by Rohit Sharma to pull an upset over their opponents. However, a quick fall of wickets and a poor performance by the active playing legends in the team like Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard made sure that the Mumbai team could manage only 176 runs on the board at the loss of 9 wickets in 19.2 overs. As Mumbai's last wicket, Jasprit Bumrah, was injured during his bowling spell, he could not make it on to the field for batting, and that was the end of the match.

On that note, let us take a look at three reasons why Mumbai Indians lost their opening game to the Delhi Capitals.

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#3. Dismal performance by the three main bowlers of Mumbai Indians

Rasikh Salam for Mumbai Indians

Rasikh Salam, Mitchell McClenaghan and Jasprit Bumrah, who were the three main bowlers for the Mumbai Indians last night, did not have one of their best days on the field.

The three bowlers, out of which 2 of them have been on an IPL winning side before, were thrashed for a total of 122 runs between them in the 12 overs that they bowled. Each of them had an economy rate of 10 and higher.

Though McClenaghan bagged 3 wickets and Bumrah got one, it was of no use, as the Delhi side had already capitalized on their poor bowling, which helped the Capitals side to a huge total of 213.

Bumrah and McClenaghan have been one of the best bowlers of the Indian Premier League and Rasikh Salam is one of the rising talents in the country, so expectations are definitely going to be high from them in the upcoming matches.

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#2. Disappointing innings by Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya

Axar Patel celebrates Hardik Pandya's wicket.

Rohit Sharma is probably someone who is capable of single-handedly winning Mumbai the match even when the score is above 200 runs.

Along with Rohit, Hardik Pandya is entrusted with the responsibility of playing an attacking and defining innings if the score to be chased is in excess of 200. However, both of them failed to live upto the expectations that the Mumbai Indians fans had from them. The MI skipper could manage only 14 runs off 13 balls before being caught behind on a delivery by his Indian team-mate Ishant Sharma.

Hardik had an even worse day on the pitch, as he started his journey of this year's edition of IPL with a duck to his name. He was caught and bowled by spinner Axar patel in the 12th over.

It was a domino effect for the rest of the Mumbai Indians side as their batsmen failed to put up substantial performances. Only Yuvraj Singh managed to put up a fight with his 53 runs off 35 balls.

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#1. Rishabh Pant's classic T20 knock

Rishabh Pant for the Delhi Capitals

There is no doubt Rishabh Pant was the difference between the two sides last night. The Indian international scored an unbeaten 78 off just 27 balls.

In the process, Pant has now broken the record for the fastest fifty against the Mumbai Indians, as he delivered 50 runs in just 18 balls. The previous record was held by MS Dhoni, when he scored 50 off 20 balls.

Around the 11th over in the Delhi Capitals' innings, it was evident that the side would secure a more than decent total of around 180 runs, but Pant's innings catapulted the side to 213 runs on board which was a tough mountain for the Mumbai Indians to climb.

Pant hit 7 sixes and 7 fours during his brilliant knock, and one would have observed the ball just flying around the Wankhede majority of times when he was at the crease, which was a treat to watch for any cricket fan.

If the destructive southpaw can maintain this form this season, he might just lead the Delhi side into the Qualifiers and event to the title.

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