Veteran Mishra stars in Delhi’s big win over holders Mumbai

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Apr 21, 2021

Veteran legspinner Amit Mishra starred with four wickets while Steve Smith was handy as the Delhi Capitals beat the Mumbai Indians by six wickets in the Indian Premier League.

Reigning champions Mumbai caved in for 137-9 after Mishra took 4-25 as skipper Rohit Sharma’s decision to bat first backfired. Opener Shikhar Dhawan (45) and Smith (33) made useful contributions up front before Delhi reached 138-4 with five balls to spare.

The victory lifted Delhi to six points from four games alongside league leader Royal Challengers Bangalore, who have won all three of their games.

Dhawan survived a close catch in Trent Boult’s first over but kept Delhi’s chase on course by hitting five fours and a six in his 42-ball knock. Dhawan looked set for his third half century this season before he holed out at deep square leg in the 15th over off Rahul Chahar’s (1-29) leg spin.

Although captain Rishabh Pant (seven) top edged Jasprit Bumrah’s slower delivery in the 17th over, Lalit Yadav (22 not out) and West Indian Shimron Hetmeyer (14 not out) took Delhi home.

Earlier, Mishra frustrated Mumbai through some intelligent bowling. His two wickets in the ninth over saw Sharma (44) and Hardik Pandya both offering catches at long-on to Smith.

Mishra then reduced the defending champions to 84-6 when he had Kieron Pollard (two) leg before wicket. The 38-year-old returned in the death overs to have Ishan Kishan (26) played onto a delivery back onto his stumps which helped Delhi hold Mumbai to their lowest score this season.