The Delhi Capitals got off to a winning start in the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a 37-run victory over three-time champions Mumbai Indians, courtesy Rishabh Pant’s powerful cameo of 78* off 27 balls and some good bowling under pressure by Kagiso Rabada.
After Pant had helped Delhi ransack 99 runs in the last seven overs, Mumbai Indians found themselves needing 106 off seven, but with half their side back in the hut, it was always a tough task and despite Yuvraj Singh turning back time with a 35-ball 53, the Shreyas Iyer-led Delhi managed to hold their nerves to re🐻gister a win.
“It’s been a great journey, trying to learn every day in my cricketing career. Always a great feeling when you score runs and the team wins. I always bat according to the situation all the time. Today when I came in, I had to up the ante and so took my chances. It came off tonight. (On his unorthodox methods) Especially in T20, you have to do something different. Sometimes when bowlers cramp you for room, you got to make your own room. (Whether he is ok with batting at 5) Well, (pauses), glad to bat anywhere the team wants me to,” Pant said after receiving the Man of the Match award.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Take a bow 🙌🙌🙌
— Karishma Kotak (KK) (@karishmakotak)
So good to watch back in with a 50! But ‘s 1 handed six & the flicks of the leg.
Simply Pant-astic!— Saiyami Kher (@SaiyamiKher)
’s spectacular knock has been the differ♈ence between the two teams in a high scor𒊎ing match. Can’t think how bowlers could have stopped him. Breathtaking hitting
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah)
JEET GAYE!!!! 🕺
We win th🅰e game vs by 37 runs! PERFECT ST🦄ART! 😍
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals)
Super Striker of the match: ! 👏
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals)
Afraid outplayed today. Pant's innings the difference.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Just how good is Rishabh Pant. And yes, he’s🧜 worth investing in.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
Another defeat for MI in their IPL opening game.
Scorecard :— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
You watch Rabada & suddenly you realise what real༺ excellence is! He is such a gift to world cricket! 👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar)
Woaaaaah. Pant brings out t💫he helicopter 🚁 takatakatakataka 🙌
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur)
Delhi becomes the first team to beat Mumbai Indians for the 12th time in IPL history…
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket)
Fewest balls to an individual 50 agst MI
18 – Rishabh Pant for DC today
20 – MS Dhoni for CSK 2012— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman)
So well played bro🤗❤️❤️ proud😘 🏏🏏
— Sakshi Pant (@SakshiPant7)
