IPL 2019, MI vs DC: Rishabh Pant stars as rejuvenated Delhi smash Mumbai at Wankhede
Mumbai Indians suffered a 37-run loss in their opening game of IPL 2019 as a rechristened Delhi Capitals romped to a victory at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.
Pant's unbeaten 27-ball 78 was too much to handle for Mumbai as they failed to get going in their humongous chase of 214.
The home side lost their captain Rohit Sharma early and following that, it was an uphill task for the Rohit-led outfit. Quinton de Kock hung in there but was snared by Ishant Sharma, who impressed on his return to the big league for his home side.
Yuvraj Singh and Krunal Pandya did rekindle some lost hopes for the Mumbaikars but once the latter fell for 32, it was game, set and match for the side from the capital.
The silver-lining for Mumbai would be Yuvraj's return to form as he smashed 53 off 35 balls and looked a part in an otherwise struggling Mumbai team.
For Delhi, Ishant along with Kagiso Rabada shined with the ball and took two wickets each. Trent Boult, Rahul Tewatia, Keemo Paul and Axar Patel took one wicket apiece.
Earlier, Pant blazed away to an unbeaten 27-ball 78 and powered Delhi Capitals to a mammoth 213 for six against Mumbai Indians in their Indian Premier League opener here Sunday.
Pant raced to his half-century in 18 balls, hitting seven towering sixes and as many fours at the Wankhede Stadium, which looked too small for the Delhi dazzler.
Just 21, Pant smashed the world's best fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, for a few sixes as well.
Pant, playing his natural game, mercilessly punished the Mumbai bowlers after South African Colin Ingram (47 off 32 balls 7x4, 1x6) and Shikhar Dhawan (43 off 36 balls; 4x4; 1x6) pulled the visitors out of the rubble and laid the foundation of a big total with their 83-run stand for the third wicket.
The young wicketkeeper was brutal on Hardik Pandya, whom he hammered for two sixes and a four in the 16th over to start the destruction and then spared none. He struck two sixes and a four off debutant Rasikh Salam in the 19th over.
Pant was also brutal on death overs specialist Bumrah. Rahul Tewatia complimented the stumper with 9 not out.
Earlier, the duo of Dhawan and Ingram rallied the Delhi innings after they lost two quick wickets -- Prithvi Shaw (7) and skipper Shreyas Iyer (16) -- inside the first four overs – and also took the Mumbai attack to cleansers.
Ingram upped the ante in the eighth over slashing Hardik for a four and then a six.
But Ben Cutting gave Mumbai the much-needed breakthrough as he removed Ingram, who was caught by Hardik in the 13 over. Dhawan also threw his wicket away as Delhi slumped from 112 for two to 131 for four.
But then it was the Pant show.
With the win, Delhi went on top of the table and are followed by Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively.
(With inputs from PTI)
