The Delhi Daredevils made it three wins in a row as they held on to beat Mumbai Indians by 10 runs on Saturday.
The Daredevils, boasting four South Africans, became just the second team of the season to successfully defend a total, after the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The hosts decided to include Imran Tahir for the first time this season, but while it’s Quinton de Kock who has starred for the side so far this season, it was JP Duminy who found some form with a well-played 49 not out, allowing his side to post a competitive 164-4.
The Mumbai Indians won the toss and chose to bowl, knowing that only two matches had been won defending, and they drew first blood by seeing off De Kock for just nine.
Sanju Samson took the responsibility of putting on the runs in the middle overs, and put on a 37-run stand with Shreyas Iyer, before smacking a 71-run stand with Duminy.
Duminy hit two sixes and three fours in his innings and was particularly effective at the death.
The Daredevils struck in the second over as Iyer and De Kock combined to run out the out-of-form Parthiv Patel for one, to immediately put pressure on Mumbai’s chase.
Skipper Rohit Sharma was determined to stick around and put on some useful partnerships with Ambati Rayudu (25) and Krunal Pandya (36), but they fell as Sharma began to run out of partners as the required run rate escalated.
Eventually, 21 runs were needed off the final over, and Chris Morris held his nerve, with just 10 runs scored off it. Sharma’s 65 was to no avail as the Daredevils held on to the victory, to make it three from four.
Photo: BCCI
