Delhi Capitals (DC) defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by 10 runs in an intriguing game played at the Arun Jaitely Stadium in New Delhi. MI won the toss and elected to bowl, and DC scored 257 in the 20 overs allotted thanks to an incredible 311.11 strike rate of 84 runs off just 27 balls by Jake Ferguson McGurk. With the sides scoring more than 200 runs so far this season, it has been an exciting ride.
DC scored 89 runs in just 5 overs thanks to a scorching effort by Jake Fraser-McGurk, which no bowler could quell. Piyush Chawla’s spell eliminated the in-form DC batter McGurk just as he appeared to be heading for the fastest century. Tilak Varma’s 63 off 32 balls helped the Delhi Capitals record a respectable total against the Mumbai Indians. MI defeated DC by scoring 247 in the second inning, thanks to captain Hardik Pandya’s 46 off 24 and Tim David’s 37 off just 17 balls.
Conversely, both teams’ bowlers were getting hammered. The fact that McGurk did not spare a single bowler suggested that the MI players were not happy with his innings. Rasikh Salam of the Delhi Capitals and Mukesh Kumar of the MI were able to take three wickets each in their four overs, while Bumrah, Chawla, and Nabi could only manage one wicket apiece. With no one able to stop him from scoring 89 runs, it seemed like Jake Fraser-McGurk’s day.
Also read: Scenarios for IPL 2024 Qualification: How Can the Mumbai Indians Make the Playoffs After Losing to DC in Match 43?
1. The bowlers’ nightmare
504 runs were scored in 40 overs at the Arun Jaitely Stadium. Carnage seems like a mild exaggeration. But how can one motivate the bowlers to recover and return to action in a couple of days or three? Collaboration between BCCI and the pitch curators is necessary to produce better pitches that help bowlers. Unfortunately, cricket is turning into a batsman’s game. The fact that this season’s bowlers are getting nothing and the hitters are unstoppable is a significant observation.
2. Not pausing Jake Fraser-McGurk
Fraser-McGurk was unstoppable, hitting Hardik Pandya for two fours and two sixes, helping the Capitals reach 89 runs without losing in five overs. But neither the Capitals nor Fraser-McGurk scored a century in the powerplay. Fraser-McGurk hit the final ball for a six to ensure he did not miss out.
3. Tilak Varma’s flamboyant taunt is ineffective
Tilak Varma hit 63 off 32 balls in the match against DC, displaying amazing cricketing skills. No bowler could send him back to the pavilion during the game because he was unbeatable. Unfortunately, during Mukesh Kumar’s absence, Sumit Kumar’s quick replacement outperformed him.
Mumbai Indians’ skipper Hardik Pandya said:
This game is becoming more and more closer. It (the difference) used to be a couple of overs, now it’s becoming a couple of balls. Because of the kind of games and how the bowlers are under pressure, we backed ourselves to do it. If I had to pick something out, we could have taken a couple of more chances in the middle overs. The left-handers could have probably gone after Axar a little bit, it’s something we missed out in terms of game awareness.
It was quite amazing the way he (Fraser-McGurk) batted, he took calculated risks, he played the field really well. It shows the fearlessness of youth. (If he would’ve done something different at the toss) Not really.
Winning, Captain Rishabh Pant said:
We were pretty happy with 250 on the board but with impact sub it is getting difficult each and every day. Definitely I can do that (come up to the stumps) but the bowler also should be confident, but with a batter like David was walking down and today it worked. He (Fraser-McGurk) has been amazing since the first day and this is what you want from a younger player, he’s getting better and better with each game. The chances (of making it to the playoffs) are increasing day by day, but we are taking it one game at a time.
Man of the Match Jake Fraser-McGurk said:
It was pretty nervous. I had looked at his (Bumrah’s) footage all day. But in the game everything goes out of the window and you just have to see the ball. It is good to test yourself against the best bowler in the world. You have to ride the waves of highs and lows. These innings are good for my confidence and for my team. From outside you don’t know the level of the competition, this is such a higher level than the other leagues and it is amazing to be a part of it.
India
