Ruthless MI flex their all-round muscle

**Ruthless MI flex their all-round muscle

Mumbai Indians showcased their superiority in all departments – batting, bowling, and planning – against Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede on Wednesday night.

The home team displayed game awareness, patience, and in-depth preparation, flexing their all-round muscle against a side that was found wanting in most aspects.

Delhi Capitals were crippled by the absence of regular skipper Axar Patel, who is "two players – a fantastic spinner and a great batter."

On a difficult surface, stroke play was not easy, and MI batters resisted the temptation of going after the bowlers, adopting a measured, waiting approach, they pounded the Delhi bowlers for 48 runs in the last two overs.

Suryakumar Yadav explained the planning that went into the match, saying, "We knew the wicket's going to be like this, so we planned accordingly and that's the same way we batted."

MI were 132 for five by the end of the 18th over, then Surya and Naman Dhir went all guns blazing, with Surya remaining unbeaten on 73 off 43 deliveries, his best innings of the season qualitatively.

Hemang Badani, the Delhi Capitals head coach, admitted, "We could have read the game better… We could have understood that the surface was slower, could have gone to the cutters, could have also gone to the wide yorkers."

The total of 180 becomes virtually impossible when you have Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, and Mitchell Santner defending it. Santner was the surprise package of the night, delivering stunning figures of three for 11 in his four overs.

The win was credited to Surya and Naman, with Santner saying, "It was set-up by Sky and Naman; to get us to 180 which was probably over par on that wicket."

The shift in momentum turned the match on its head, with Delhi Capitals having the game perfectly in their grasp before the final two overs changed the complexion of the contest.

Mumbai Indians have now secured a playoff berth for the 11th time in 18 seasons, and with momentum on their side, they look a different beast altogether.