’Perfect’ Mumbai powers into a sixth final

ISHAN Kishan’s attacking 55, then four wickets to Jasprit Bumrah, powered Mumbai Indians to their sixth Indian Premier League final, with a 57- run win over Delhi Capital son Thursday.

The left-handed Kishan put on an unbbeaten 60-run partnership with Hardik P andy a, pictured, who hit 37 off 14 balls, to steer titleholder Mumbai to 5/200 in the first qualifier in Dubai.

Delhi could only manage 8/143 in reply as Bu mr ah returned figures of 4/14 to lead this season’s bowling chart with 27 wickeets, as four-time winner Mumbai sealed a direct entry into the final on November 10. “We know in the big games runs on the board is always critical no matter what the conditions are,” Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma said. “You put runs on the board there is always an additional pressure on the opposition. And also of course our bowling unit has been terrific through the tournament. The way we played today was absolutely perfect .”

Delhi will get another crack at qualifying against either Virat Kohli’s Royal Challenger s Bangalore or Sun risers Hyderabad, who first clash in an eliminator.

Delhi was reduced to 3/0 after pace spearhead Trent Boult struck twice in his first over with the wickets of Prithvi Shaw and Ajinkya Rahane, and fellow quick Bumrah sent back Shikhar Dhawan.

Aussie Marcus Stoinis made a valiant 65 off 46 balls including a sixth-wicket partnership of 71 with Axar Patel (42) to put up some resistance for Delhi.

Bumrah kept up the pressure and struck twice in one over–including S to inis, who was bowled after his 46- ball knock – to go past Delhi quick Kagiso Rabada’s 25 scalps this season.