Mumbai Maulers! MI Put Up Massive Total Against Delhi Capitals
Mumbai Indians (MI) put on a batting masterclass against Delhi Capitals (DC) in their IPL match on Sunday, posting a daunting total of 234 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. The Wankhede Stadium pitch offered little resistance to the Mumbai batsmen, who capitalized on the favorable conditions to unleash an aggressive batting display.
Explosive Start: Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan Lay the Foundation
MI got off to a flying start thanks to their openers, Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan. Sharma, the former MI captain, played a blazing innings, scoring a quickfire 49 runs off just 27 balls. Kishan provided able support, contributing 42 runs off 23 balls. Together, they put on a dominant opening partnership of 80 runs in a mere 7 overs, setting the tone for a big total.
Middle-Order Contributions and a Late Surge
While the openers provided the early impetus, valuable contributions from the middle order ensured MI maintained the scoring momentum. Hardik Pandya, the current MI skipper, chipped in with a well-made 39 runs off 33 balls. Later, Tim David played a blistering knock, scoring an unbeaten 45 runs off just 21 balls.
Shepherd’s Six-Fest Seals the Deal
However, the star of the show for MI was undoubtedly Romario Shepherd. Coming in towards the end of the innings, Shepherd unleashed a brutal assault on the DC bowling attack, smashing a staggering 39 runs off just 10 balls. Incredibly, 32 of those runs came in the final over bowled by Anrich Nortje, showcasing Shepherd’s raw power and ability to finish the innings on a high note. Nortje, despite taking 2 wickets for 65 runs in his 4 overs, was the unfortunate bowler at the receiving end of Shepherd’s six-fest.
DC Face a Challenging Chase: Axar Patel Provides Hope
Delhi Capitals now face a daunting task of chasing down this mammoth target of 234 runs. While the task seems difficult, Axar Patel’s bowling performance for DC offers a glimmer of hope. He was the pick of the DC bowlers, claiming 2 crucial wickets for just 35 runs in his spell. The Delhi Capitals batsmen will need to play smart cricket and capitalize on any loose deliveries to have a chance of pulling off an unlikely victory.
