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.
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.
WATCH – Pollard Takes A One-handed Blinder To Dismiss Iyer
Both of them added 83 runs for the third wicket to gain some momentum. Just when Ingram got his rhythm in the game, McClenaghan got the prized scalp of Ingram. His wicket brought Rishabh Pant to the crease and it only made things worse for Mumbai Indians.
WATCH – Rishabh Pant Pulls Off A Helicopter Against Jasprit Bumrah
Pant played a couple of unbelievable strokes to start off. But then after Dhawan had a word with him, he rotated the strike well. After getting his eyes in, 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.
Nobody was spared by Rishabh as he remained unbeaten on 78 runs just 27 deliveries as even Jasprit Bumrah was also smashed. His innings was 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. None of the bowlers could stem the run-flow from Mumbai despite picking the wickets early and they will now need to ace their highest ever chase in the IPL history.
Here’s how Twitter reacted after Pant’s knock:
rishabh pant has ensured that the russell innings isn't even the most explosive played in the last couple of hours #MIvDC
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 24, 2019
Rishabh Pant is an incredible talent #DCvsMI
— Ajit Agarkar (@imAagarkar) 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
— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) March 24, 2019
Rishabh Pant is a serious player !!!
— Nasser Hussain (@nassercricket) March 24, 2019
Oh nahi reesan teriyan shera @RishabPant777 #topclass 👏👏 #MIvsDC #IPL2019
— Mandeep Singh (@mandeeps12) March 24, 2019
Just Wow from Pant !
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) March 24, 2019
Rishabh Pant giving MI hard time every time he comes out bat #MIvDC #IPL2019
— Anish Telkikar (@telkikar_anish) March 24, 2019
If Rishabh Pant keeps playing like this, he will never be invited to dance in the wedding of the Ambanis ever.. #MIvDC
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) March 24, 2019
What a innings from Rishabh Pant. I don't care what people say but I believe he should be on that plane to England for the World Cup.
— Ole's At The Wheel (@AmitMUFC) March 24, 2019
That was one of the most entertaining innings I've seen in a long long time!
That one handed 3rd tier six was mind blowing!
Rishabh Pant please keep on performing like this. India needs you. 😀👊#MIvDC #IPL2019
— Vaibhav Shah (@Aviation_Freak) March 24, 2019
*MI opening match*
Last year's IPL: Last ball of first innings Hardik got injured.
This year's IPL: Last ball of first innings Bumrah got injured. #IPL
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) March 24, 2019
Rishabh Pant scored just one run off his first 5 balls, but thereafter?
41466464146.41126646L1
77 off 22
blasted 7 fours, 7 sixes
What an innings! #MIvDC #IPL2019— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) March 24, 2019
Rishabh Pant hit a staggering 81 % of his runs through the leg side, 50% behind square on leg side. Best part was even if Mumbai tried to bowl outside off, he was able to pick them off to the leg side. Teams will need to come up with some kind of strategy against him. #MIvDC
— jigar mehta (@jigsactin) March 24, 2019
