IPL 2023: Rohit Sharma shines as MI edge past DC in a thriller for first win of the season

In a match that ebbed and flowed either side, but also often reminded viewers why these two teams are at the bottom of the table this season, Mumbai Indians managed to eke past fellow strugglers Delhi Capitals by the barest of margins on Tuesday in Delhi.

The defeat meant Delhi Capitals have lost all four of their matches so far this season.

It was another last-ball finish in the IPL 2023 as MI sneaked home by six wickets with a big dive by impact player Tim David to complete two runs. It was a stunning last over by Anrich Nortje, one of high skill and pace, as he nearly defended five runs. But Delhi’s sloppy fielding didn’t help as MI won off the last ball to get on board for the season.

Earlier, Axar Patel’s brilliance took DC to 172 all out in their 20 overs after they were asked to bat first. But Rohit Sharma’s 45-ball 65 marked the end of a long wait for an IPL fifty for the MI captain and also ended the wait for a win for his side this season. It was an innings of high quality on a pitch that wasn’t easy to bat on.

Rohit Sharma’s 65 was the standout innings for MI.

Delhi, led by David Warner and coached by Ricky Ponting, have endured a horrendous run in the T20 tournament to be in danger of an early exit from the play-off race.

The franchise is yet to win the Indian Premier League and suffered an early blow when captain Rishabh Pant was ruled out for the season due to the injuries sustained in an accident.

Mumbai, without pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, out injured this season and missing England pace bowler Jofra Archer for the second straight match, bounced back from their opening two defeats.

Rohit and the left-handed Ishan Kishan gave the former champions a flying start in their 71-run stand before a run out sent Kishan back to the pavilion.

Rohit looked in supreme touch as he pulled Nortje for a six over deep square leg and another hit over the fence off Kuldeep Yadav.

The Indian captain put on another big partnership of 68 with Tilak Varma, who made 41, but Mukesh Kumar raised hopes of a turnaround with successive strikes.

He sent back Varma and then T20 sensation Suryakumar Yadav for a first ball duck to bring a live the home crowd that went crazy when Rohit departed five balls later off Mustafizur Rahman.

But David (13) and Green (17) kept their calm in a dramatic final over from Anrich Nortje, which witnessed a dropped catch, to steer the team home and the two batsmen stole a double after David pushed the ball to mid-off.

Earlier Delhi were bowled out for 172 in 19.4 overs despite Warner’s 51 and an attacking 54 by fellow left-hander Axar Patel after the hosts were invited to bat first.

Piyush Chawla rattled the opposition batting to return figures of 3-22 and was later substituted by David.

The once explosive Warner, who struck his third half-century of the season, stood firm but often struggled to find momentum until an attacking Axar joined the Australian opener in a 67-run partnership.

Rohit was the player of the match.

(With AFP inputs)