Daredevils crashland versus Mumbai Task cut out for DD, SRH, KXIP
MISMATCH Led by Simmons and Pollard’s assault, MI qualify for playoffs with a record 146run win
Indians opener Lendl Simmons scored 66 in 43 balls (5x4, 4x6) while Kieron Pollard stroked his way to an unbeaten 63 in 35 balls (5x4, 4x6) as Mumbai Indians thrashed Delhi Daredevils by 146 runs to clinch their ninth win in IPL 10. It is the biggest margin of victory in IPL, bettering RCB’s 144-run win over Gujarat Lions in 2016.
Chasing 213, DD were dismissed for 66, their lowest total. The Mumbai bowling was measured and to the field as they ensured Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant, who had starred in the previous match, were dismissed in single digits.
For Mumbai, three important stands of 59*, 37, 37 that Pollard featured took them beyond 200.
Pollard batted like a senior pro holding the innings together.
On days like these, you wonder how Pollard can change gears. Usually he is sent in the slog overs as he can smash the ball literally into parking lots. On Saturday, he showed he has the ability to bat through as well.
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra troubled him early on, bowling really slow and even beating him a couple of times. Pollard, however, waited like a lion in the bushes waiting for the prey to commit the slightest of mistakes. Mishra finally blinked and was hunted by Pollard.
Mishra bowled his usual backspins in order to vary his pace. Pollard blasted one into the third tier. Mishra got defensive and dropped a little short. Pollard had expected it and he rocked back, handing Mishra the same treatment. The leggie finished with 4-0-37-1. But for Pollard’s treatment, his figures could have been way better.
Delhi have been miserable on the field off late. On Saturday, they let off Hardik Pandya who was dropped by Shreyas Iyer in the penultimate over. Hardik made use of the opportunity, hitting Cummins for two sixes and a boundary in the final over. Simmons, who had a forgettable T20 series against Pakistan last month, did well here.
He didn’t look confident at the start but stayed on the crease and patiently worked his way into form.
The race for the IPL play-offs has intensified with six teams vying for the top four spots after Gujarat Lions and Royal Challengers Bangalore were eliminated:
vs SRH (May 8), vs KXIP (May 11), vs KKR (May 13)
MI become the first team to qualify. They have to win two of the remaining three to finish in the top two and play in Qualifier 1.
vs DD (May 12), vs KXIP (May 14)
Pune need to win one game. In case they lose both, they must hope KXIP do not win three out of four games. They must also hope DD lose one more game and SRH lose their two games.
vs RCB (May 7), vs KXIP (May 9), vs MI (May 13)
Gautam Gambhir’s team must win two out of three games. If they lose all, they must hope SRH lose their remaining games and that either of DD and KXIP win only two of their remaining games. 8), vs GL (May 13) vs MI (May
The defending IPL champions must win their remaining games. Losing both games will put them in danger and they will sneak in provided DD lose one more game and that KXIP are victorious in just one.
vs GL (May 7), vs KKR (May 9), vs MI (May 11), vs RPS (May 13)
KXIP must win all their games to qualify. If they lose any one game, they will have to hope that SRH lose one of their remaining games and that DD win only two.
vs GL (May 10), vs RPS (May 12), vs RCB (May 14)
DD must win all their games and hope KXIP win only two out of their remaining four games and that SRH lose their remaining two
games.