IPL 2021, DC vs MI: Iyer-Ashwin Heroics Help Delhi Beat Mumbai In A Nail-Biting Thriller To Reach Playoffs

A small cameo from Shimron Hetmyer and a sensible partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Ashwin helped their team get a win in a last-over thriller. 

New Delhi: A super spirited fightback from Mumbai Indians bowlers went in vain as Delhi Capitals batters played cautiously to get a four wicket win over the defending champions on Saturday. Delhi now needs just on more win to ensure a top-2 finish for them. After Delhi restricted Mumbai to a paltry 129, they roared back with four very early wickets. However, a small cameo from Shimron Hetmyer and a sensible partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Ashwin helped their team get a win in a last-over thriller. 

Earlier, a top-notch bowling effort from Avesh Khan and Axar Patel helped Delhi restrict a power-packed Mumbai Indians to a paltry 129/8. After being asked to bat first, Mumbai lost the big wicket of in-form Rohit Sharma too early as the senior opener was sent back to the pavilion by Avesh Khan (Bowled) inside the powerplay overs.

After Rohit's departure, Quinton de Kock and Suryakumar Yadav tried to steady India's sinking ship but spinner Axar Patel took wickets of both of them and hence Mumbai failed to get any sort of momentum.

Anrich Nortje also was in top form today as he was quite economical and bowled a wicket-maiden that included hard-hitting all-rounder Kieron Pollard's wicket. Avesh Khan then took consecutive wickets to ensure Mumbai Indians remain on the backfoot till the very end. Both Axar and Avesh bagged three wickets each and Nortje was quite economical too.

Mumbai Indians Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Saurabh Tiwary, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jayant Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult

Delhi Capitals Playing XI: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Steven Smith, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada