IPL 2019: Brothers in arms

New Delhi: Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi Capitals by 40 runs in a second leg IPL clash here on Thursday.

Electing to bat, opener Quinton de Kock hit a 27-ball 35 at the top, while Pandya brothers — Hardik (32) and Krunal (37) provided the late charge as MI posted 168 for 5.

The visitors then returned to restrict Delhi to 128 for 9, riding on a three-wicket haul by Rahul Chahar (3/19) and Jasprit Bumrah’s 2 for 18.

Earlier, Pandya brothers led Mumbai Indians’ recovery with a 54-run stand. Hardik (32 off 15) and Krunal (37 not out off 26) provided a much needed late onslaught by hammering 51 runs off the last 18 balls to put Mumbai in a strong position.

This was after Delhi spinners Amit Mishra (1/18) and Axar Patel (1/17) tightened the screws on Mumbai with a tidy effort.

Considering the slow nature of the surface, Delhi will have to bat really well to chase down 169.

With teams batting second winning all three previous games at the Kotla, Rohit Sharma’s decision to bat first surprised even opposition skipper Shreyas Iyer.

On the slow and low surface, Mumbai made a measured start.

Runs started flowing after that streaky boundary as Quinton de Kock (35 off 27) collected a four and six over deep square leg and by the first powerplay, Mumbai reached a promising 57 for no loss.

Runs were hard to come by with the two spinners in operation, creating scoreboard pressure which led to the run out of a well-set de Kock following a terrible mix up with Suryakumar Yadav (26).

With Mumbai struggling to 117 for four in 17 overs, a late assault was very much needed to put up a fighting total. And that was provided by the Pandya brothers, with both going after Keemo Paul in the 18th over that leaked 17 runs.

Hardik, who is looking more dangerous with each passing game, whipped Morris for a six before pulling off a helicopter shot off Rabada in the final over.