Dubai:Riding on a scintillating captain's knock by Rohit Sharma (68 off 51), defending champions Mumbai Indians crushed Delhi Capitals by five wickets in the final to win the record-extending fifth IPL title at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, here on Tuesday.
In doing so, MI extended their record of being the most successful team in IPL history by adding a fifth title to their kitty.
They also became only the second team ever to defend their title successfully since MS Dhoni led CSK achieved the feat in 2011.Opting to bat after winning the toss, Delhi Capitals captain Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant struck impressive fifties to propel DC to 156/7 in 20 overs.
In reply, Mumbai Indians overhauled the target by 5 wickets with 1.2 overs to spare.
Chasing the target, Mumbai Indians got off to a stunning start as openers Quinton de Kock and Rohit dealt in boundaries. The team scored 45 runs off the first four overs before Marcus Stoinis dismissed de Kock (20) on the very first ball of the 5th over.
Rohit was then joined by Suryakumar Yadav in the middle but their partnership did not last long as the latter was run out in the 11th over after scoring 19 runs.
Yadav's dismissal brought Ishan Kishan out on the field. On the other hand, Rohit continued his superb form and completed his fifty as Mumbai Indians inched closer towards the victory.
Anrich Nortje gave Delhi Capitals the much-needed wicket of Rohit in the 17th over. Kieron Pollard was the next batsman and he showed aggression from the very beginning. He smashed two boundaries to Nortje but in the next over, Kagiso Rabada sent the batsman back to the pavilion.
Nortje then dismissed Hardik Pandya in the 19th over following which Krunal Pandya came out to bat as the team needed just one run to win and he easily took the team over the victory line. Ishan Kishan made 33 not out down the order as Mumbai cruised to victory.(UNI)
