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Mumbai Indians failed to break their jinx of not being able to win their first IPL match since 2013. The last time MI won their first match in the T20 tournament was way back in 2012. The trend continued on Sunday as the Rohit Sharma-led side succumbed to a 4-wicket defeat against the Delhi Capitals at the Brabourne Stadium in the first of the twin fixtures on Sunday.
While Mumbai were invited to have a bat first, the Blue and the Gold Brigade did manage to put on a competitive score of 177/5. Later, Delhi found themselves in a bit of trouble when they lost wickets in quick succession. However, Lalit Yadav and Axar Patel pulled them out of a difficult situation to help them beat MI.
Here are some of the highlights of the match.
1. Rohit Sharma- Ishan Kishan's opening stand
The Rohit Sharma-Ishan Kishan opening stand after being asked to bat first has to be one of the highlights of the match. The duo added 67 runs for the opening wicket in just 50 balls after which The Hitman departed. The two had laid the foundation for a good score and one of them (Kishan) even batted deep into the innings. Yet the MI failed to end up on the winning side. Kishan's superb innings of an unbeaten 81 from 48 balls went in vain.
2. Kuldeep Yadav's Player of the Match worthy spell
Kuldeep Yadav was in sensational form for the Delhi Capitals in their first match of the season. The chinaman bowler scalped 3 wickets for 18 runs in his quota of 4 overs which was the difference between MI's total of 177 and what they could have made, given the power-hitting talent they possess. Kuldeep was adjudged the Player of the Match for his effort as he bagged crucial wickets of Rohit, Kieron Pollard and Anmolpreet Singh.
3. Tim Seifert's splendid catch
Delhi Capitals' Tim Seifert took a sensational catch off the bowling of Kuldeep Yadav to get rid of the Mumbai Indians batter Kieron Pollard. This piece of action unfolded in the fifth ball of the 16th over as Yadav grabbed his 3rd wicket of the match. While Pollard had gone for the pull stroke with some power behind it, Seifert, anticipated it brilliantly to complete the catch. Given what the mighty West Indian is capable of in the death overs, Seifert's effort was all the more crucial.
4. Lalit Yadav- Axar Patel seal the deal for DC
Early wickets meant that at one stage, DC's required run rate had crossed over 11 runs an over. However, Lalit Yadav and Axar Patel did not lose hope and put on a superb amazing partnership to seal the deal for the Capitals. The two shared an unbroken stand of 75 runs off just 30 balls. While Lalit finished with 48 runs from 38 balls with the help of 4 fours and 2 sixes, Axar chipped in with 38 from 17 deliveries with the help of 2 fours and 3 sixes.