The Indian Premier League (IPL) has once again delivered an enthralling match, with the result hanging until the last ball.
Despite a rocky start to the tournament, the five-time champions Mumbai Indians showed their true grit in a nail-biting encounter against the valiant Delhi Capitals.
The match perfectly illustrated the ups and downs of T20 cricket, with brilliant performances from David Warner and Axar Patel countered by Rohit Sharma and Tilak Kumar.
The pulsating contest came down to 12 breathtaking deliveries, a hallmark of this year’s IPL.
Mumbai will be delighted with the win, particularly the return to form of their skipper Rohit Sharma. This match will go down as yet another unforgettable chapter in the annals of the IPL.
Miss or Hit
Delhi was trying to win its first match in the tournament, but they needed 20 runs in the last two overs. They had lost three wickets, including Varma (who scored 41 runs off 29 deliveries), Suryakumar Yadav, and Rohit Sharma (who scored 66 runs off 45).
Cameron Green and Tim David were at the crease and hit sixes, but Mumbai needed only five runs off six balls. However, South African pacer Anrish Nortje, who had a moustache like the famous Australian bowler Merv Hughes, had other plans for the batsmen.
Deadliest Yorker
Nortje’s deadly yorkers at over 140 mph proved to be a game-changer in the thrilling match, as he kept both batsmen on their toes and prevented them from scoring big hits.
The tension in the stadium rose with every delivery, and the crowd of over 40,000 at Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium was on the edge of their seats. Nortje’s precision bowling left Green and David with no option but to scramble for singles.
As the match came down to the final delivery, the pressure was palpable, and the fans could almost hear the sound of crunching fingers and biting nails. However, Green hit the ball and ran like there was no tomorrow, and David did the same.
The two batsmen crossed each other in a blur and completed two runs, leading Mumbai to a hard-fought victory. The fans would remember it as a dramatic finish for a long time.
Chasing the runs
Mumbai Indians were chasing a total of 173, and it looked like they were on course for a comfortable win, with Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan scoring quickly at the start. Tilak Varma also played a fantastic inning, adding to the excitement with a barnstorming knock of 31 runs off 26 deliveries.
The former champions would easily seal the victory with how things were going.
Excellent Warner
David Warner has been in excellent form this season, scoring many runs. However, he has been taking his time to get going, which he acknowledged. Although his 51 off 47 deliveries took his tally to 201 runs in four innings, it didn’t do much to push the run rate, and he eventually fell to a leg-cutter from Australian pacer Jason Behrendorff.
Axar’s Vital Role
Meanwhile, Axar Patel played a vital role in Delhi’s innings, partnering with Warner to add 67 runs. Patel was the dominant of the two, hitting five sixes and four fours with his aggressive batting style. His contribution helped Delhi post a respectable total, but it was not enough to secure the win. Patel’s fighting spirit was again displayed, but Mumbai Indians emerged victorious.