Vistors Delhi Daredevils had their task out to challenge host Mumbai Indians in the 9th match of the IPL 2018.
Fortunately for Gautam Gambhir, his side went on to register a couple of points with a massive a seven-wicket victory in a high scoring run chase.
The likes of Roy, Iyer and Pant, ensured the tempo wasn’t lost during the chase after Rahul Tewatia and co. pulled it back for Delhi Daredevils during the back end of the innings.
Here, we look at the game-changing moments from the game.
Suryakumar Yadav’s promotion
The idea of Rohit Sharma opening the batting for Mumbai Indians did not quite work in the first two games. As a result, the management asked Suryakumar Yadav to open the batting for his side.
Mumbai’s, Surya Kumar Yadav did not disappoint, as he smashed the Daredevils’ bowlers to all parts of the ground with his strokeplay.
Suryakumar posted a brisk 32-ball 53 to get the ball rolling early on for the home side. At a strike rate of 165, he smashed seven boundaries and a maximum.
Mumbai Indians’ Express Start
After the initial blitz from the local lad, Windies’ Evin Lewis chipped in looking at his partner firing all cylinders. Lewis rapid knock of 48 at a strike rate of 171, meant Mumbai Indians were off to a thunderous start.
Before the match started, Mumbai had the lowest run rate, a shade over seven, during the powerplays when compared to the other teams in the competition.
The host looked to rectify the record by bringing up the best powerplay score in the tournament thus far, with 84 runs in six overs. Also, Mumbai reached the 100-run mark in just eight and a half overs.
Tewatia’s sensational spell
The hosts were running away with the game, going at thirteen and a half per over at one point in time. However, it all changed after Rahul Tewatia got introduced into the attack.
The leggie brought in the necessary retardation into the innings with his spell which went for only 9 per over along with a couple of crucial wickets.
It also paved the way for the rest of the Delhi Daredevils’ bowlers to make a comeback at the backend of the innings with their variations.
From 102-0, the hosts were looking at a score well above 220. However, the DD conceded only 87 in the last ten overs and clinched seven wickets to make inroads into the game.
The likes of Boult and Christian chipped in with a couple of wickets during this phase of the game to turn the match in their favour.
Jason Roy’s Fiercesome knock
Jason Roy’s debut in the IPL last year wasn’t quite desirable for the Englishmen, as he was made to bat down the order due to the star-studded top-order of Gujarat Lions.
That said, he was brought into the XI by Gambhir at his desired position in place of the struggling Munro.
The move paid dividends for Delhi Daredevils, as he scored a fierce-some trademark Jason Roy-knock of 91 which came off just 53 balls at a strike rate of 171.
England’s limited-overs specialist smashed six boundaries and sixes in the innings, including the finishing blow off the last ball.
Young Guns firing for DD
The trust provided to the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant, who were part of the three retentions before the auctions of IPL, also paid dividends in the high scoring run chase.
Pant matched Roy shot for shot with his quickfire knock of 47 which came off 25 deliveries, at a strike rate of 188.
The explosive southpaw entertained the crowd at Wankhede with his six boundaries and two maximums.
Shreyas Iyer ensured that any form of jitters in the DD camp gets eliminated with his finishing knock of 27 which came off 20 balls, getting the job done for the side.
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