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Ravi Shastri, the former India head coach said that Delhi Capitals had to go for Decision Review System-DRS as it was common sense given Mumbai Indians had their last proper batting pair in the middle, with two reviews left. Tim David after surviving that call smashed 34 runs off just 11 balls to take MI across the line.

After losing both qualifiers last year, Delhi Capitals (DC) failed to get across the line in another must-win game as they bowed out of the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after losing to Mumbai Indians in their final group stage match.

Ravi Shastri Shocked At Delhi’s No-Brainer Decision To Not Take DRS Review

Delhi was very much in the game after pacer Shardul Thakur dismissed Proteas batter Dewald Brevis in the 15th over as the five-time champions still required 65 runs to win off 33 balls. After the time-out, Delhi pacer Shardul Thakur’s first ball to the hard-hitter Singapore batter Tim David passed close to the bat, and Delhi’s skipper and wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant appealed as well, however, the bowler wasn’t convinced neither was the skipper.

There was a noise that was heard through the stump mic and Rishabh Pant was immediately appealing after safely pouching the ball behind the stumps. There was an instant appeal but the on-field umpire turned it down. With both their two reviews in the bag, everyone expected captain Rishabh Pant to go for the DRS. But to everyone’s surprise, Rishabh Pant decided not to review the decision after a brief chat with the bowler Shardul Thakur.

Minutes later, the UltraEdge showed a spike, which meant had Rishabh Pant decided to review the decision, it would have been the end of Tim David’s innings for a duck. The replays showed that there was a clear spike when the ball passed the bat and it came to hurt the Capitals. After that Tim David went on to smash 34 runs off the next 10 deliveries he faced and he landed the killer blow as MI won the game by 5 wickets and Delhi was knocked out of the playoffs race.

Rishabh Pant appealed after taking a catch however didn't go for the review against Tim David, who smashed an 11-ball 34 | Photo: BCCI/IPL — Rishabh Pant appealed after taking a catch however didn’t go for the review against Tim David, who smashed an 11-ball 34 | Photo: BCCI/IPL

Speaking about the decision, former India head coach Ravi Shastri said that common sense should have prevailed and DC had to take the review with just 5 overs to go, two reviews remaining, especially when it’s against someone like Tim David, who can take the game away which is what he did after the reprieve.

Ravi Shastri said, “Ok there’s Rishabh Pant, Shardul but what are the other 8 doing there? Common sense demands five overs left, two reviews, Tim David has come in, you’ve taken a wicket and you have a great opportunity of getting two wickets quickly, and still 5 overs to go and you have the upper hand – you had to take it. I mean, it’s a no-brainer.”

A disappointed Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant on Saturday said he felt that Tim David had nicked the first delivery he faced, but didn’t go for the review as most of his teammates inside the circle were not convinced, a decision which cost them a place in the IPL play-offs.

Rishabh Pant’s decision to not review that turned out to be a blunder as Tim David slammed 34 runs off just 11 balls with the help of two boundaries and four sixes to take the game out of DC’s grasp.

Ravi Shastri Reckons It’s A Tough Pill To Swallow After Delhi Missed Out Qualification To Playoffs By Just One Lapse In Concentration

Ravi Shastri said that this loss is going to hurt Delhi and give them some sleepless nights as they were on top of the game for the majority of its duration but let it slip away.

“This is a tough pill to swallow, it’s like a balloon burst after that. Someone has pricked that balloon to burst and to roll over. They’re gonna have sleepless nights over this one, such are these games because it’s a place for the playoffs that you have missed out on after two months of cricket going at each other and then miss out by just one lapse in concentration,” Ravi Shastri added.

MI’s win meant the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) qualified for the playoffs and they will face Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator.