Delhi Capitals registered a fantastic come-from-behind victory against the Mumbai Indians on Sunda evening to kick-off their campaign on a positive note. Mumbai ran the show for the most part of the game but a superb 7th wicket stand of 75 runs from 30 balls between Axar Patel and Lalit Yadav saw Rishabh Pant‘s side chase down the target of 178 with 10 balls to spare and with six wickets in hand.
Mumbai’s big total was set up by Ishan Kishan‘s dazzling knock of 81 unbeaten runs off 48 balls, the innings laced with 11 fours and 2 sixes, supported by Rohit Sharma‘s 41 and a couple of cameos from Tilak Varma and Tim David. For DC, Kuldeep Yadav was their best bowler, bagging a three-wicket haul – those of Sharma, Anmolpreeet, and Pollard – and finishing with figures of 3/18, for which he was named the Player of the Match.
Delhi’s chase got off to a brisk start with Tim Seifert and Prithvi Shaw taking on the MI pacers, until Murugan Ashwin put on the brakes with a two-wicket over. Delhi was given a big blow when Rishabh Pant was dismissed for just 1 run. Hopes of a victory dwindled when Shaw and Rovman Powell got out in succession.
While Lalit Yadav played at snail’s rate, Shardul Thakur launched the counter-attack, scoring 22 runs off 11 balls before he too departed. With DC at 104/6, the match looked in MI’s bag, with fans even wondering the margin of victory for MI. Until the Patel-Yadav show flourished, with Lalit smacking Basil Thampi for a maximum.
Jasprit Bumrah surprisingly had a rare off night when he was taken for cleaners in all three of his overs – Yes, skipper Rohit Sharma must be regretting not completing both Bumrah and Tymal Mills’ overs while he opted for the expensive and inexperienced Daniel Sams for the 18th over when the game completely slipped away from MI.
Bumrah conceded 15 off his third over before Thampi conceded 13 more. The game hung in balance with 28 needed off 18 balls. But Daniel Sams was hammered for three sixes and a four in the 18th over to effectively kill the game as Delhi Capitals pocketed this stunning comeback victory.
Fans were left stunt as Mumbai Indians continued their tradition of losing the first game of the season. Netizens were shocked in the way that a strong MI bowling attack fell prey to the Patel-Yadav show.
Here are some of the best reactions to Delhi’s terrific victory:
What a comeback win by Delhi Capitals, they were 104 for 6 from 13.2 overs while chasing 178 runs and then won the game with 10 balls left. All thanks to Axar and Lalit.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 27, 2022
MI fans: We’ll definitely win our first game.
MI: #DCvMI #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/f1Rq26GAa8— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 27, 2022
What a peling baazi by Lalit Yadav?#DCvMI pic.twitter.com/rKPX08Owr7
— Feel Hapi official ? (@FeelHapi) March 27, 2022
New heroes will drive the show. The Indians in the Indian Premier League will be the lead narrative this season… What a stunning turn around by the @DelhiCapitals .. #DCvMI
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) March 27, 2022
Ishaaan-daar paari ?? #IPL2022 Also, welcome back Kuldeep Yadav. Impressed with Rishabh’s captaincy…the move to bring in Kuldeep for Pollard. #DCvMI
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 27, 2022
Lalit Yadav (after finishing responsibly) To Rishabh pant : #DCvsMI #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/Ubn3cEd5la
— Lal Saurabh Vikram S (@lal_saurabh) March 27, 2022
No warner, No Nortje, no rahman, no marsh
Rishabh pant won the match with khaleel,l yadav,thakur,axar and shifert.
If you still think pant win matches because of strong team, then you’r just a blind hater who can’t appreciate his captaincy.
Greatest @RishabhPant17 https://t.co/nLaISxlgDM— king.18 (@Aman51789553) March 27, 2022
