Flop show from Delhi Capitals

There is a difference between champions teams and those aiming to become a champion in the Indian Premier League. On Thursday night, Mumbai Indians showed why they are the boss as they turned in a professional show, laced with great intent, to thrash Delhi.

The win for Mumbai Indians, where “ïnjured” Rohit Sharma again turned out as skipper and went for the toss raised eyebrows. It had social media agog but made no difference to the Mumbai Indians, who have made it to the IPL final for the sixth time. It is an altogether different story that Rohit, whose girth around the waist and seemingly unfit body saw him score a zero, provoking a great debate again on his grade two hamstring tear.

However, if Rohit was a zero they had many other heroes against Delhi Capitals, whose performances in this IPL have been fluctuating like a yo-yo in motion. Having won the toss, Shreyas Iyer chose to field. It may have looked a good decision when Delhi Capitals had Mumbai reeling at 108 for four in 14 overs.

That, however, was a bit flattering as the Mumbai Indians heroes, many on show, which included Quinton de Kock, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya’s lusty hitting enabled the defending champions reach a command total of 200.

It is well known when you are chasing over 200 under lights in the IPL and the dew factor comes into play, the chase becomes very tough. Well, the chase was not tough but more than that the top three Delhi Capitals were blown away for blobs.

The raw pace and fire with which Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult bowled showed what stuff they are made of. Having been playing in what seems a long tournament at the desert venues in the United Arab Emirates, these consummate fast bowling artists treated the fans (of course on TV) to some brilliant exposition of their wares.

The more one sees Prithvi Shaw play these days, the more one is convinced he is a batsman who seems to have forgotten the lines before stepping on stage. Shikhar Dhawan, the left-hand batsman who can destroy any attack fell and so did skipper Shreyas Iyer. Once the top three had been consumed, the writing was on the wall.

In cricket, there is an old cliche, it is not over till the last run has been scored or the last wicket has fallen. Sadly, after the Delhi speedsters had been taken to the cleaners, their batting showed it was as brittle as firewood. There were some stout-hearted efforts from Axar Patel and Marcus Stoinis. Perhaps, it was too late in the day to change fortunes of Delhi Capitals, who will now get one more chance to make the final.

Before that, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad will battle hard to decide who Delhi face next. Even the most ardent Delhi Capitals fan knows, deep down within his or her heart, their team has not been able to show the consistency which is needed in the IPL to win the trophy.

Maybe, just maybe, a miracle is what Delhi Capitals fans will be praying for from here on. That, alone, can seem them make the final first. To talk of winning the final would be bizarre at this stage.