The DavidShepherd blast off at the death gives MI new life

The West Indian smashes 32 runs off Nortje in the 20th over; the duo adds 84 in the final four overs to power the hosts to a gargantuan total of 234; Shaw and Stubbs’ knocks go in vain as Capitals fall short by 29 runs

Tim David and Romario Shepherd’s carnage in the last four overs helped Mumbai Indians kick start the Marathi New Year celebrations two days in advance by opening its account in Indian Premier League 2024.

Riding on David and Shepherd’s cameos, Mumbai Indians ensured Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan’s panache in the PowerPlay was converted into a gargantuan total of 234 for five after being put in by Rishabh Pant at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

Despite Prithvi Shaw’s and Tristan Stubbs’ swashbuckling knocks, the Capitals finished its essay at 205 for eight, falling short by 29 runs. The difference, in the end, turned out to be the last over of both the innings.

Shepherd, who took guard with 13 balls remaining, hammered Anrich Nortje for four towering sixes and two fours to amass 32 runs off the last over. More than one that went out of the stadium through deep squareleg, it was his slash over covers into the stands that resulted in the full house going berserk.

Thanks to Shepherd’s onslaught, Nortje’s Protean counterpart Gerald Coetzee had the cushion of defending 33 runs in the last over. He picked up three wickets for four runs, beginning a lap of honour to acknowledge 18,000 schoolkids who had been invited to watch the game.

Earlier in the afternoon, Rohit and Kishan made the most of the PowerPlay, with MI racing to 75 for no loss. Capitals employed five bowlers in the first six overs but none of them could stop the duo’s onslaught. Rohit’s successive pickup shorts from outside off stump that landed in the stands over square leg off Jhye Richardson were marvellous.

Axar Patel finally broke the partnership, fooling Rohit in length with a quicker one to crash into the stumps.

The wily spinner then took a sensational return catch to see Ishan’s back as well. Capitals kept Hardik Pandya, promoted to No. 4, in check as MI was placed at 150 for four in 16 overs.

David then started the carnage with Shepherd joining in to help Mumbai Indians slaughter the last four overs for 84 runs and take the game away from Capitals.