Any interruption in play could change the course of the game from one side's favour to another. Tuesday's IPL game #39 saw 46-minute stoppage in all when Delhi Daredevils were on top at the Wankhede, reducing Mumbai Indians to 40/4. From that position, one would have expected Delhi Daredevils to win.
Any interruption in play could change the course of the game from one side's favour to another. Tuesday's IPL game #39 saw 46-minute stoppage in all when Delhi Daredevils were on top at the Wankhede, reducing Mumbai Indians to 40/4. From that position, one would have expected Delhi Daredevils to win.
However, as it happened, rain left dew on the pitch, the ball was coming nicely on to the bat and the three dangerous batsmen Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu and Kieron Pollard saw Mumbai Indians home without panic.
Yuvraj Singh, Daredevils' top-scorer with 57, said it was a game that his team should have won. “A total of 160 was a winning target, 150 could have gone anywhere. The wicket was gripping a bit at the start and with the dew, the ball was coming on to the bat nicely. If there was no rain, and if our spinners got more turn, the result would have been different. But to be fair to MI, they played well under pressure. Rohit Sharma and Rayudu took the game to the end,” Yuvraj said after the match.
Yuvraj Singh said it was not a 152-run pitch. “After the rain came, the dew set in and the pitch got better. There was no spin. Earlier on, there was spin while we were batting, it was gripping. No doubt they played well. At 40/4, you should win games. Unfortunately for us, Rohit and Rayudu put up that partnership (of 60).”
The 33-year-old left-hander was pleased with the way he batted at the Wankhede. “I have been playing the ball well but getting (only) a few 20s, not the 35-plus knocks. IPL is a format where you cannot really assess consistency. You want to win games for your team. My job is to win games and play knocks to get those two points and that's what I look to do.”
Daredevils are lying in the bottom half of the table with eight points from 10 games and have to win each of their remaining games to be able to qualify for the playoffs. “It is a do or die situation,” he said. “We have four games, have to win them. It is going to be tough. It is not impossible. I remember KKR winning seven straight games to qualify for the last four and win the tournament last year. Anything is possible in cricket. I will try my best.”
Daredevils take on Kolkata Knight Riders in their next game at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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