Mumbai Indians (MI) started their IPL 2019 campaign against the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the iconic Wankhede stadium. But most of the limelight in the game was stolen by Rishabh Pant after the home side opted to bowl first. Colin Ingram and Shikhar Dhawan also batted well but the left-handed youngster just ripped apart the bowlers of Mumbai. DC crossed the 200-run mark as well to eventually end on 205 runs for the loss of six wickets after 20 overs and Mumbai lost the game by 37 runs.
Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw opened the innings for Delhi and for MI, the debutant, Rasikh Salam shared the new ball with Mitchell McClenaghan. The duo started off cautiously but the latter got out which was an early dent to the Capitals. Even Shreyas Iyer was dismissed early but Colin Ingram’s arrival at number four only helped the visitors to stabilize the innings.
ALSO READ: Twitterati Celebrates Rishabh Pant’s Blistering Knock
Both of them added 83 runs for the third wicket to gain some momentum. Later on in the game, Pant took on the MI bowlers while also playing a helicopter shot off Jasprit Bumrah, one of the best death bowlers in world cricket. In the process, Pant also reached his half-century off just 18 balls and then went haywire.
Rishabh didn’t spared anyone as he remained unbeaten on 78 runs just 27 deliveries. His innings laced with seven fours and as many sixes which were a delight to watch. Eventually, the Delhi Capitals ended their innings of 213 runs for the loss of six wickets after 20 overs.
WATCH – Boult Takes A Stunning Catch To Dismiss De Kock
During the chase, Mumbai faced an early blow as Rohit got out in the 4th over of the match itself bowled by Ishant Sharma. In the next over of Ishant, MI lost Surya Kumar Yadav and Quinton de Kock in the same over credit for that goes to some brilliant fielding from Shreays Iyer and Trent Boult.
After that over, Mumbai was reeling at 45/3, then Yuvraj Singh and Kerion Pollard added 50 runs for the 4th wicket but after latter’s dismissal in the 11th over, chances of MI winning the game demeaned further. However, Yuvraj went on to score 53 runs off just 35 balls as he also added 39 runs with Krunal Pandya for the 6th wicket but it wasn’t enough to make the hosts over the line and as a result of that they were bundled out for 176 in the 20th over.
Brief Scores:
Delhi Capitals – 214/6 (R Pant: 78, C Ingram: 47; M McClenaghan: 3/40) defeated Mumbai Indians – 176 all out (Y Singh: 53; I Sharma: 2/34, K Rabada: 2/23) by 37 runs
Here is how Twitterati reacted after Delhi’s win:
.@ImRo45: First game is always challenging. We made a lot of mistakes today.
#CricketMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians #OneFamily #MIvDC— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 24, 2019
@RishabPant777’s spectacular knock has been the difference between the two teams in a high scoring match. Can’t think how #MI bowlers could have stopped him. Breathtaking hitting
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 24, 2019
People are worried more about #Bumrah injury than this match.
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) March 24, 2019
You watch Rabada & suddenly you realise what real excellence is! He is such a gift to world cricket! 👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 24, 2019
You can get hit…. the format is such, but when you are bowling against someone like @YUVSTRONG12 pa, you can’t be predictable. BTW we are seeing a glimpse of the #VintageYuvi! #MIvDC #GameBanayegaName
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) March 24, 2019
Vintage @YUVSTRONG12 🔥🔥 #MIvDC #IPL2019
— Mandeep Singh (@mandeeps12) March 24, 2019
Really hope that there is not a big injury concern for @Jaspritbumrah93
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 24, 2019
50 off 17 balls for @RishabPant777 … #IPL2019 … No idea why he keeps getting criticised In India … Just let him play the way he plays …
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 24, 2019
Big things come in small packages #RishabPant such a hands player , never seems to get head in line but somehow seems to get enough power to get it over the ropes #MIvsDC #IPL #IPL2019 #BadriBytes
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) March 24, 2019
Oh nahi reesan teriyan shera @RishabPant777 #topclass 👏👏 #MIvsDC #IPL2019
— Mandeep Singh (@mandeeps12) March 24, 2019