India all-rounder Hardik Pandya was in his destructive best for the Mumbai Indians against Delhi Capitals at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium on Thursday. Keemo Paul bowled the 18th over, and Hardik along with brother Krunal quite simply launched into him, scoring 17 of the 50 runs they managed in the final three overs of the innings to finish with 168. Delhi failed to chase that down and were handed a 40 run defeat on their own patch.
“We have to give credit to the way the Mumbai Indians batted. The last four overs they got 58 runs. Hardik Pandya’s innings was very crucial – 15 balls, 32 runs – that really got the runs on the board. We felt like this was a 150 pitch and I think that extra cushion they got – 18 runs – that made the difference, and put the pressure (on us). After 10 overs it was chasing 10 runs per over. It was not that easy a task considering the Kotla wicket,” said Amre, who is the Head of Scouting for the Delhi Capitals.
“(The spinners) bowled in the powerplay. That gave them the extra cushion to use their experienced bowlers later on. The middle overs really cost us (with the bat) and that’s where we have to really work on. Playing the spinners’ overs well will be very important. Our Indian middle order batsmen have to stand up and deliver.”
