The Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals got off to a great start in IPL 2022 with a four-wicket win over five-time champions Mumbai Indians. After electing to field first, the Capitals restricted the Indians to a first innings total of 177 – 5 at the low-scoring Brabourne Stadium.
Ishan Kishan, the most expensive player in IPL 2022, proved that he is worth the big price tag by scoring a flamboyant unbeaten 81 off 48 deliveries. The wicketkeeper’s knock was laced with 11 boundaries and two maximums. Kishan shared a 67-run partnership for the first wicket with captain Rohit Sharma, who scored 41 runs off 32 balls. Mumbai’s relatively inexperienced middle order failed to contribute runs, with Tilak Verma’s 22 runs being the only significant help.
For Delhi, chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav was the wrecker-in-chief with three wickets in his four overs at an economy of 4.50. The former KKR bowler took the all-important wickets of Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard along with also removing Anmolpreet Singh.
The Capitals made the chase look simple by wrapping it up in 18.2 overs. In absence of David Warner who is yet to arrive in India, Tim Seifert opened the batting with Prithvi Shaw. The duo put up 30 runs for the first wicket. In the middle order, captain Pant managed only a solitary run while Mandeep Singh bagged a golden duck. However, contributions from Lalit Yadav (48), Shardul Thakur (22) and Axar Patel (38*) took the Capitals over the line with 10 balls remaining. Kuldeep Yadav was adjudged Player of the Match for his 3 for 18.
Both Mumbai and Delhi will play their respective next games on April 2. While Delhi will take on the Gujarat Titans, Mumbai will square off against the Rajasthan Royals.
Image credit: IPL
