Just when the contest seemed to follow the script seen in 14 out of 16 matches in this season of Indian Premier League, there was a dramatic twist to the tale. Mumbai Indians, looking good to chase down 165, lost the plot between the 13th and 17th overs and left Delhi Daredevils celebrating a sensational 10-run victory at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground on Saturday.
>Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
After 12 overs, Mumbai was 98 for two and needed 67 runs off 48 deliveries. But only 25 runs came off the following five overs, bowled by Zaheer Khan (6 runs), Chris Morris (5), Amit Mishra (5), Imran Tahir (4) and again Amit Mishra (5) and Mumbai suddenly found itself up against the wall.
>Duminy praises his team's 'clinical' bowling performance
Even after Morris conceded 10 runs off the 18th over, Mumbai needed 32 runs to win off two overs. In the 19th over, Zaheer gave away 11, including a six to Kieron Pollard, but more importantly, had the danger-man caught off the last delivery.
In the final over, Morris was required to defend 21. Rohit carted the second delivery for a six but off the following, he was run-out after colliding with Hardik Pandya while attempting a second run. Harbhajan Singh fell leg before and Morris conceded only singles off the last two deliveries to stifle Mumbai at the threshold of victory.
"We played well but failed to cross the line in couple of games. It's a long tournament. We will bounce back." - Krunal >#DilSeIndian
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) >April 23, 2016
It was indeed a sensational victory for the host. At one stage, before Rohit reached his third half century of the season, Mumbai looked well in control with Ambati Rayudu and Krunal Pandya providing the early momentum needed for the chase.
Looking back, Daredevils ploy of playing two legspinners – Mishra and Tahir – paid off as the duo conceded only 53 runs their eight overs and bowled 15 dots!
Earlier, Delhi’s 164 was a fine recovery from being 65 for three in 10 overs. Though 99 runs came off the second half of the innings, the target was not intimidating but eventually proved enough. Though Quinton de Kock, the hero of Daredevils’ two victories this season, fell in the second over after hitting two successive boundaries in the first, Man-of-the-Match Sanju Samson and JP Duminy came good.
"They bowled really well in the death overs. They executed their yorkers well." - Krunal >#DilSeIndian
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) >April 23, 2016
For the fourth wicket, the pair raised 71 runs out of which Samson contributed 43. Continuing to reinforce the promise, the youngster hit a six and a four off Harbhajan Singh’s third over that produced 14 runs.
The following over saw Hardik collide with Buttler in their vain attempt to stop Samson’s shot from crossing the ropes. Hardik had to be lifted off the ground.
With Samson in full flow, Duminy settled down. Looking for his third six, Samson could not make the most of a full-toss from Mitchell McClenaghan and holed out to Tim Southee at the long-off fence, midway through the 17th over.
Thereafter, Duminy assumed charged and stepped up the run-rate to help the team cross 160. In fact, he was ‘caught’ by wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel in the final over before the trajectory of the delivery was found to be above waist-high and declared a ‘no-ball’ following replays.
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