Sharjah: Defending champions, Mumbai crashed to their 4th straight loss of the tournament. After restricting them to just 125, Delhi managed to overhaul it with 7 balls and 6 wickets to spare at Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium on Sunday
Rohit Sharma finally realised having two different roles in two teams isn't going to help his long-term batting plans and decided to open the innings along with Aditya Tare. His World T20 form, however, seems to have deserted him as he set off for a single off Mohammed Shami, only for the bowler to scamper from his follow-through and send him back off a direct hit.
The big-hitting Corey Anderson showed glimpses of his talent after he was promoted to No 3 against Chennai Super Kings, and looked to be striking the ball well again, until he hit one straight into midwicket's throat off Jaydev Unadkat for 8.
Mike Hussey has not been around in international cricket and has looked rusty, and coming in at No 5 made matters worse as he could never find his timing. After scratching around for 10 from 18 balls, an Unadkat slower delivery yorked him and crashed into the stumps.
Kieron Pollard's return to cricket from a knee injury wasn't the best until now, but against DD, the big Trinidadian gutsed it out there after MI had slipped to 63 for 5. Pollard and CM Gautam built a steady partnership to take them over the 100-mark, before the West Indian used the long handle to take the total to 125, staying unbeaten on 33 from 30 balls.
For DD, Unadkat picked up two wickets, while Nadeem and Parnell accounted for a scalp each.
In response to MI’s modest total, Quinton de Kock (16) and Murali Vijay started the Daredevils innings in a steady manner. The pair added 34 in just under seven overs, before de Kock got out off the bowling of Corey Anderson. JP Duminy then came out to bat, and along with Vijay, took DD to 55 for one at the half-way stage.
The pair then increased the scoring rate, and it appeared as though they had the MI bowlers’ number. That is when Rohit Sharma took matters in his own hands and decided to roll his arm over.
And much to the delight of his teammates, the MI captain struck off his second delivery; he cleaned up Vijay (40) to leave DD on 79 for two in 12.2 overs. However, DD skipper Kevin Pietersen, who was the next man in, ensured his team reached the three-figure mark by the 15th over.
But off the first ball of the very next over, Lasith Malinga got rid of Duminy (19). And three deliveries later, the Sri Lankan slinger dismissed Dinesh Karthik (2). However, there were no more dents in the DD line-up as Pietersen (26*) and Kedar Jadhav (14*) took their team over the line with six wickets in hand and seven balls to spare.
For MI, Malinga was the pick of the bowlers and he ended up with 2-17.
Earlier, Mumbai Indians have won the toss and elect to bat.
Mumbai are unchanged and Daredevils have one change with Kedar Jadhav coming in for Manoj Tiwary.
Teams
Delhi :Murali Vijay, Quinton de Kock, Kevin Pietersen (Capt.), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Jean-Paul Duminy, Kedar Jadhav, Wayne Parnell, Laxmi Shukla, Mohammed Shami, Jaydev Unadkat, Shahbaz Nadeem
Mumbai : Michael Hussey, Aditya Tare, Rohit Sharma (Capt.), Corey Anderson, Ambati Rayudu, Kieron Pollard, Chidhambaram Gautam (wk), Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Pragyan Ojha, Lasith Malinga
Brief scores
Mumbai Indians - 125/6 (Pollard 33*, Unadkat 2-29)
Delhi Daredevils -126/4 (Vijay 40, Malinga 2-17)
Result - Delhi Daredevils won by 6 wickets
Points - Delhi Daredevils 2, Mumbai Indians 0