Delhi’s loss, RCB’s gain
Mumbai edge Capitals to send Bangalore through to playoffs
Mumbai, May 21: Royal Challengers Bangalore sneaked into the play-offs after Mumbai Indians broke Delhi Capitals’ heart with a five-wicket win in their last IPL match here on Saturday.
Already out of contention, MI played partypoopers as they first restricted DC to 159 for 7 with Jasprit Bumrah snapping three wickets and then returned to overhaul the target in 19.1 overs to knock the 2020 finalists out of the tournament.
While Ishan Kishan (48) and Dewald Brevis (37) kept MI in the hunt, it was Tim David’s 11-ball 34-run cameo that brought the five-time champions back into the chase.
Tilak Varma also chipped in with a crucial 17-ball 21.
With MI at 95 for 3 in 14.3 overs, DC skipper Rishabh Pant made a strategic blunder as he refused to go for DRS after David nicked the first ball of his innings but the onfield umpire didn’t give him out.
It came back to haunt DC as David slammed fours and sixes at will to bring down the equation to 15 off 14 balls. Ramandeep then provided the finishing touch with a six-ball 13.
DC finished with 14 points to remain in the fifth spot, while RCB joined Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants into the play-offs with 16 points.
Defending the total, leftarm seamer Khaleel Ahmed looked in good rhythm as he bowled a sensational first two overs, conceding just 2. He bowled full outside offstump to trouble the openers,
mainly Rohit Sharma (2).
Anrich Nortje finally put an end to Rohit’s struggle with the MI skipper chipping one to mid-on.
Ishan and Brevis then
added 51 runs off 37 balls but Kuldeep Yadav (1/33) broke the partnership with David Warner taking a fine catch to get rid of the former. Brevis took on the attack to the opposition
and smashed two sixes and a four off Kuldeep, who could have had him but skipper Pant dropped a sitter in the 12th over to add to the agony of the bowler.
However, Brevis dragged
one on to his stumps as MI slipped to 95 for 3 in the 15th over.
After that it was a David show as hit a six over deep mid-wicket off Shardul Thakur.