IPL 2021, MI vs DC: Shreyas Iyer holds his nerve to relegate defending champions to significant loss

Shreyas Iyer showcased his maturity beyond the years and ability to stay resolute on Saturday, in Match 46 of IPL 2021 while representing Delhi Capitals (DC) against defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI). Iyer remained confident and determined during a chase of 130 on a tough wicket which was extremely difficult to bat on, fighting till the end despite enjoying limited support. The batsman’s knock of 33 runs from as many deliveries, helped the DC fans maintain optimism over their prospects in the encounter despite a fine fightback by the MI bowlers. Ravichandran Ashwin helped ensure a fantastic finish to proceedings, smashing a six off the first ball of the final over bowled by Krunal Pandya to wrap up a triumph by a margin of four wickets.

Trent Boult, Jayant Yadav, Krunal Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Nathan Coulter-Nile chipped in with a dismissal apiece. However, it did not prove enough on the day pushing the defending champions into a very tough spot, with regard to contention for a spot in the playoffs.

“Just couldn’t get the partnerships going”

“We always knew it was going to be a difficult venue. Watched a lot of games and we do understand that it isn’t the easiest of the grounds to play and get those runs you want. We came prepared, we knew exactly what to expect from the conditions, we spoke of those as to how we need to go about when we bat. Didn’t bat well, we didn’t create those partnerships, we always knew that it wasn’t a 170-180 wicket, we knew 140 is a par score here. We just couldn’t get the partnerships going. If your batters are not going to put runs on the board, it’s going to be difficult to win games consistently,” said Rohit as quoted by Cricbuzz.

“We have struggled with our batting this season, I personally accept that. But I don’t want to take anything away from the guys, we are preparing very well. We are just not able to execute in the middle, a little disappointing. Just look to play the game we are known to, something’s missing in our game. We are not playing to our potential that we are known for, that is something that is missing in the UAE leg. Hopefully in the next two games we can come out and play the way we are known for,” he added.

Axar Patel and Avesh Khan make their presence felt to help restrict MI to 129

Spinner Axar Patel and pacer Avesh Khan made their presence felt with a fantastic performance, to help DC restrict MI to a paltry total of 129 runs for the loss of eight wickets. Both the players accounted for three dismissals apiece, to overshadow the likes of Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada. Axar sent Quinton de Kock, Suryakumar Yadav and Saurabh Tiwary back to the pavilion. Avesh helped dismiss Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Nathan Coulter-Nile doing his glowing reputation no harm.

Nortje and Ashwin provided fine support, chipping in with a dismissal apiece. While the South African accounted for the key wicket of Kieron Pollard, Ashwin sent Jayant Yadav back to the pavilion. Suryakumar was the top run-getter for the defending champions, scoring 33 runs off 26 deliveries in an innings comprising of two boundaries and sixes apiece.