MI end Delhi’s unbeaten run with thrilling win

Delhi Capitals suffered their first defeat of the new Indian Premier League season on Sunday after Mumbai Indians eked out a 12-run victory to rekindle their fading hopes of making the playoffs.

Karun Nair led Delhi’s pursuit of 206 with a scintillating 89 but once he departed, the wheels came off their innings and the Capitals were all out for 193 — losing their last three wickets to a hat-trick of run-outs in a bizarre finish.

Delhi, who had won four matches in a row, are now behind table-toppers Gujarat Titans on run rate, though the Capitals have played one match fewer. Five-time champions Mumbai climbed to seventh place after their second win in six matches.

Earlier, former captain Rohit Sharma’s lean run continued but Tilak Varma’s breezy half-century provided the bedrock of Mumbai’s strong 205/5 after being put in to bat. Mumbai lost Rohit (18) in the powerplay but Ryan Rickelton (41) and Suryakumar Yadav (40) ensured they did not completely surrender the momentum.

Delhi spinner Kuldeep Yadav removed both the batters but Varma smashed 59 off 33 balls, three of which went soaring over the boundary rope, before falling in the final over. Naman Dhir made a quickfire 38 not out as Mumbai posted their second 200-plus total this season.

“Whenever I get the chance I want to make the most of it. I just want to focus on my process and the rest is not in my hands,” said MI spinner Karn Sharma, who was named the Player of the Match.

Brief scores: Mumbai Indians: 205/5 in 20 overs (Varma 59; Yadav 2/23, Nigam 2/41); Delhi Capitals: 193 all out in 19 overs (Nair 89; Sharma 3/36, Santner 2/43).

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