IPL 2022: Heartbreak for DC, elation for RCB

A Mumbai Indians victory yesterday night helps Royal Challengers Bangalore continue their quest for the 1st IPL title.

Delhi Capitals slip up in the race for top 4 against Mumbai Indians and as a result, Royal Challengers Bangalore qualify for the Tata IPL 2022 playoffs.

Royal Challengers Bangalore did all they could’ve, handsomely beating the table toppers Gujarat Titans but, the ball was in the court of the Delhi Capitals.

Unfortunately, they were not able to capitalize on this as they lost their must win game against bottom of the table Mumbai Indians side.

First Innings

Rohit Sharma(MI) won the toss and decided to chase. Delhi Capitals were off to the worst possible start, losing Aussie big hitting batsmen David Warner and Mitchell Marsh, in the span of 3 balls.

Prithvi Shaw followed suit, as this had Delhi reeling at 31/3.

To make things worse, Sarfaraz Khan failed to kick off, as DC managed just 55 runs in their first 10 overs.

Fortunately for DC, skipper Rishabh Pant and Rovman Powell stitched a 75 run partnership before the former fell.

Axar Patel hit a couple of lusty blows as DC ended up scoring 159 runs in their 20 overs.

At that time, it looked like a par score.

Second Innings

Delhi started off on the right track, with both Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma failing to cut loose.

After a series of dot balls, Rohit finally succumbed to pressure, as MI ended up with their lowest power play score in the Tata IPL 2022. After 6 overs things looked gloom for both MI and RCB.

But, Dewald Brevis and Ishan Kishan decided to go after left arm leggie, Kuldeep Yadav.

They took him for runs aplenty, before the latter holed out to Warner in the deep. Brevis could’ve followed suit, but Rishabh Pant dropped a sitter.

First of the two costly mistakes that Pant made yesterday. Brevis tried to go big, managing to score 37(33) but Shardul Thakur wrecked the woodwork behind him to have MI in a bit of a bother at 95/3.

The second costly error in judgement that Rishabh Pant made yesterday was when he decided against reviewing a caught behind of Tim David.

There seemed to be a slight knick and an animated appeal by the DC skipper made it look like he might just go for the review.

In the end, the time ran-out and he decided not to. Replays suggested a definite knick and had Pant reviewed it, Tim David would’ve been a gonner.

To make things worse, Tim David went berserk, scoring 34 off just 11 balls to take MI to the cusp of victory.

Even though DC managed to get rid off him. it was too little too late.

Catch the match highlights here: https://www.sportstrumpet.com/ipl2022-mi-vs-dc-live-score-updates/

It was time for celebrations in the Royal Challengers Bangalore camp, as they were on their way to Kolkata to play the eliminator against Luckow Super Giants.

Heartbreak for all the DC players and supporters. Despite fighting all the issues they’ve had back with Covid and the drama against Rajasthan Royals, they let it slip away.

Unfortunately, DC could not finish their job and as a result have yielded a much deserved playoffs spot to the Bangalore based franchise.

But this season was nothing less than outstanding for Rick Ponting’s men. Despite having COVID 19 outbreak and decisions going against them, they managed to take the fight till the last over of the group stage.

A commendable effort from DC as we expect a lot from them in the upcoming IPL seasons.

Tata IPL 2022: Royal Challengers Bangalore qualify for the playoffs, take on Lucknow Super Giants on 25th May.

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s celebrations went viral on Social Media.

The winner of the eliminator will face against the losing team in the Qualifier 1. Only 1 team in the history of IPL that has played in the eliminator, gone on to bring the cup home.

Let’s see if LSG or RCB can replicate this feat.