Mumbai Indians (MI) are one of the best teams in the ongoing IPL 2017. They have some wonderful batsmen and bowlers, which makes them a scary unit. Delhi Daredevils witnessed a dominant Mumbai Indians, who played some brilliant all-round cricket to beat the home team at Feroz Shah Kotla on Saturday by 146 runs.
After Mumbai Indians put 212 runs on the board, it was always going to be a huge task for Delhi Daredevils. Though the home team comprised in-form players like Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant, MI bowlers proved to be too much for the young batting unit of DD.
Mumbai Indians, with this win, have become the first team to qualify for the Playoffs. With MI cruising to victory, it has led to some interesting talking points.
Talking points of Delhi Daredevils Mumbai Indians clash
Mumbai Indians' qualify for Playoffs
Mumbai Indians have become the first team to grab the Playoffs spot after a thumping win over DD. Rohit Sharma-led side, deservedly, booked their spot after some consistent display in IPL 2017. They have played 11 matches and won nine of them. Mumbai Indians will not be complacement as they will be eager to remain at the top and head into the Playoffs as the number one team.
Caribbean magic
It was the brilliance of two players from West Indies, Lendl Simmon and Kieron Pollard, who played an integral role in helping Mumbai Indians score 212 runs from their 20 overs. If Simmons started with his big-hitting in the first six overs, Pollard hit some massive sixes throughout the first innings to score that massive total. Simmons' innings deserves immense praise as he was playing in his first match in IPL 2017, and scored 43-ball 66. He also won the man of the match award.
Decision to promote Pollard
After a flying start by the Mumbai Indians openers, Pollard was sent up the order. The West Indian, most of the times, come into bat at number five, but the team management decided to send him at three, and it worked wonders. He took few balls to get his eye in, after which he just used his power to muscle the ball over the boundary hopes. He scored 63 runs.
World-class Mumbai Indians' bowling unit
Mumbai Indians showed why they are one of the best team in IPL 2017. They have the right mix of bowling in their line-up. Harbhajan Singh and Karn Sharma took three wickets each. However, the early damage was done by the seamers including Laith Malinga and Mitchell McCleneghan.
Rohit Sharma's stunning catch
There has been a number of dropped catches in IPL 2017, but Rohit was in no mood to bag limelight for the same reason. However, he did bag headlines with one of the best catches in the competition. Karn Sharma bowled his leggie outside the off-stump, and Marlon Samuels slashed hard at the ball, it caught the edge. The ball was flying at the rate of knots, and it was almost behind Rohit when he dived to catch the ball with one hand. He was sharp in the field, finished with three catches in the match too.
DD's batting collapse
Sanju Samson lost his wicket in the first ball of the second innings, and the home team never really recovered from that. They lost wickets at regular intervals, which was a major problem. No one could stay longer at the batting crease. Karun Nair was the top-scorer with 21 runs. They were all out for 66 runs in 13.4 overs. It was an embarrassing performance.
DD's slim mathematical chance to reach Playoffs
After such a humiliating loss, it will be difficult for the DD to reach the Playoffs, but they still have some mathematical chance to finish in the first four. First they need to win all their remaining matches and then other results also need to go in their favour.
