Team Mumbai Indians and Rohit Sharma won a record-extending 5th title of IPL 2020 by decimating Delhi Capitals by 5 wickets.
In what turned out shortest final in the history of IPL, the powerhouse of T20 cricket needed just 18.4 overs to gun down a target of 157 , in terms of the overs played Led by captain Rohit Sharma’s 68 and a terrific Trent Boult, Mumbai Indians used all their experience of having featured in 5 previous IPL finals to good effect against Shreyas Iyer’s men.
Rohit Sharma had not been in the best of forms, marred by injury concern, until the final. However, on the big day, it was Rohit’s show all the way as he took the Delhi Capitals’ new ball attack to the cleaners. Rohit’s masterclass comes a day after he was rested from the ODI and T20I legs of India’s tour of Australia.
Rohit Sharma has become only the 2nd captain after MS Dhoni to successfully lead a title defence. Mumbai Indians broke their even-year jinx by winning their first title in an odd year (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020). It was also the first time in the history of the IPL that a leap year hasn’t had a new champion — 2008 Rajasthan Royals, 2012 Kolkata Knight Riders and 2016 Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Mumbai Indians, known for their meticulous pre-season planning and excellent use of data and match-ups, looked a well-oiled machine as they proved yet again why they are the most dominant side of IPL 2020. From not winning even a single match during their trip to the UAE in 2014 to bossing the tournament in 2020, Rohit’s men have effortlessly turned their fortunes around in the Middle East.
Trent Boult shines as captain’s knock from Shreyas Iyer goes in vain
Earlier on the big day, Mumbai Indians began the IPL 2020 final with a record-breaking feat as Trent Boult became the first bowler to pick up a wicket off the very first ball in the final. Boult got in-form Marcus Stoinis for 0 and returned to pick up Ajinkya Rahane in his second over.
Mumbai Indians’ reliance on match-ups worked wonders as off-spinner Jayant Yadav, who was brought into the final, got Delhi Capitals’ highest-scorer Shikar Dhawan in his very over.
Having lost 3 early wickets, captain Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant not just looked to steady the ship but counter-attacked to add 96 runs for the fourth wicket. While Pant got to his first fifty of the season, the young wicketkeeper-batsman threw it away by getting out in the 15th over.
Shreyas Iyer made a 50-ball 65 but Mumbai Indians pulled it back with a brilliant display of death bowling, conceding just 38 runs in the last 5 overs.
Mumbai Indians completed the formality by making it 4 in 4 against the Delhi Capitals at IPL 2020.
