Black Cap helps Mumbai to 5th title
CRICKET
DUBAI: Defending champions Mumbai Indians claimed their fifth Indian Premier League title after romping to a fivewicket victory over Delhi Capitals in yesterday’s final in Dubai.
Mumbai’s bowlers, led by Black Cap Trent Boult (three for 30), laid the foundation for its comprehensive victory by restricting Delhi to a belowpar 156 for seven.
Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma smashed a breezy 68 and Ishan Kishan made 33 not out as it prevailed with eight balls to spare for its fourth win against Delhi this season.
Playing its maiden IPL final against the tournament’s most successful side, Delhi, coached by Australia great Ricky Ponting, needed a strong start but instead was reeling at 22 for three in the fourth over.
Boult dismissed the inform Marcus Stoinis with the first delivery while Shikhar Dhawan, the other opener, lost his wicket to offspinner Jayant Yadav attempting a slogsweep.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer (65 not out) and Rishabh Pant (56) steadied the innings but Delhi did not get a late flourish and settled for a score which Mumbai chased down easily.
Quinton de Kock fell for 20 and Suryakumar Yadav (19) sacrificed his wicket after a mixup with Rohit, but Mumbai was hardly tested in its chase.
Rohit shrugged off the twin setbacks and smashed four sixes in his rollicking knock before holing out with victory in sight.
Delhi’s Kagiso Rabada finished as the IPL’s leading wickettaker with 30 scalps, ahead of the Mumbai duo of Jasprit Bumrah (27) and Boult (25).
This year’s IPL, originally scheduled to begin on March 29, was shifted to the United Arab Emirates following the Covid19 outbreak in India.
‘‘We know it’s a difficult time; everyone is stuck at home,’’ Bumrah said, putting things in perspective.
‘‘We’re lucky that we could come and entertain people. If we could bring smiles to their faces, it’s the best thing we could do.’’ — Reuters