Mumbai Indians thrash Delhi Capitals to win fifth IPL title

Mumbai Indians celebrate with the trophy 

Mumbai Indians (MI) clinched their fifth Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 title when they defeated Delhi Capitals (DC) by five wickets in the final encounter worked off at the Dubai International Stadium in the United Arab Emirates yesterday.

After having restricted their opponents to 156 for seven, MI raced to their target in style with five wickets and almost two overs to spare. 

Skipper, Rohit Sharma led the way with a 51-ball 68 inclusive of four sixes and five boundaries and also figured in an opening stand of 45 runs with his partner Quinton de Kock (20)  

Earlier, a magnificent half century by Rishabh Pant and a gutsy fifty by Skipper Shreyas Iyer helped Delhi Capitals (DC) post a modest 156 for seven from their 20 overs after witnessing a disastrous start.

Pant smashed 56 runs off 38 balls while Iyer scored 65 as Delhi rebuilt the innings. However, the Capitals lost quick wickets again in the death overs which restricted the Iyer-led side to 156 runs.

After opting to bat first, Delhi got off to the worst possible start as Marcus Stoinis went back in the dugout for a golden duck in the very first ball, courtesy of a stunning delivery from Trent Boult.

In his next over, Boult struck again and dismissed Ajinkya Rahane as Delhi reeled at 16 for two. Shikhar Dhawan looked in great touch but his stint at the crease soon came to an end as Jayant Yadav cleaned up the left-handed batsman in the fourth over.

Skipper Iyer and Pant then rebuilt the Delhi innings as the side scored 75 for three halfway through the mark. Pant provided some momentum as he hammered Krunal Pandya for two sixes in the 10th over as the duo brought up their 50-run partnership.
Pant and Iyer continued their fine form and brought up the 100-run mark in the 14th over. The left-handed batsman smashed his 12th half century in IPL and also his first this season before Nathan Coulter-Nile dismissed him in the 15th over.

Skipper Iyer brought up his 50 runs and smashed his third half century in this year’s IPL. Shimron Hetmyer looked in great touch but departed early as Boult picked his third of the day. 

Delhi Capitals: 156/7 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 65 n.o, Rishabh Pant 56, Trent Boult 3/30, Nathan Coulter-Nile 2/29)

Mumbai Indians: 157/5 in 18.4 overs (Rohit Sharma 68, Quinton de Kock 20, Ishan Kishan 33 n.o, Anrich Nortje 2/25).  Agencies