NEW DELHI: Midway through the match, Rohit Sharma said the pitch was tough to bat on and backed the Mumbai Indians bowlers to defend 162 against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.His words almost proved prophetic.Chasing 163, Delhi Capitals needed 90 runs in the last ten overs with a well-set Pathum Nissanko in the hut. But Sameer Rizvi, Delhi’s hero in their last game against Lucknow Super Giants, drove them home again with another stunning knock. Delhi Capitals beat Mumbai Indians by five wickets to register their second consecutive win in 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL).
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‘Bowlers have it tough’ – Glenn Phillips breaks down modern T20 cricket Rizvi struggled initially and was 11 off 17 balls at one stage. The 22-year-old pulled away from Corbin Bosch by six in the ninth over. However, the match remained tied as Mitchell Santner dismissed Pathum Nissanko. The Sri Lankan opener who scored a fluent 44 off 30 balls, with one top, with Mayank Markand taking a good catch at short fine leg.Rizvi then shifted gears in the next over to take 20 runs off Corbin Bosch. He handled every variation with ease, sending slower balls, short deliveries and fullers, even making the most of a poorly timed shot.Mayank Markande smashed back-to-back sixes to complete his second consecutive fifty this season and third in a row for the franchise, reaching the milestone in 32 balls.Jasprit Bumrah pulled things back briefly with one over but Delhi were now firmly in control. Rizvi continued his onslaught on Deepak Chahar and later combined with David Miller for 50 in just 26 balls, with Miller contributing just one run.Rizvi looked unstoppable as he dismantled Shardul Thakur for 17 runs in the over. Miller then chipped in with some classy boundaries off Bumrah.Rizvi eventually departed after a brilliant 90 off 51 balls to a standing ovation from the Delhi crowd, his teammates and even the opposition. And at that time he got out, it was a mere formality.
Dry afternoon
On the eve of the match, Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene and Delhi Capitals spinner Kuldeep Yadav expressed similar views that the pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium will be batting friendly. However, it turned out to be a two-paced surface.Mumbai Indians were without their regular captain Hardik Pandya who missed the match due to a viral infection. Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel won the toss and opted to chase.After being put in to bat, Mumbai Indians got off to a shaky start as Mukesh Kumar removed Ryan Rickelton (9) and Tilak Varma (0) in the third over. Mukesh initially looked for swing but adjusted his length in the next redirection to take both wickets.
Mumbai Indians’ Suryakumar Yadav, left, and Rohit Sharma run between the wickets (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Rohit Sharma then joined stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav and the pair steadied the innings. Mumbai Indians were 41 for 2 at the end of the over. The duo rotated the strike well and added 53 runs for the third wicket before Rohit fell for 35 in the 10th over dismissed by Axar Patel.
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After Rohit’s departure, Suryakumar continued to anchor the innings and brought up his fifty in 35 balls but was dismissed on 51 just off the next delivery of Lungi Ngidi. Sherfane Rutherford had a short stay, taking five wickets before being caught in the deep.Next up, Naman Dhir scored a fine 28 before falling in the penultimate over. Mitchell Santner and Corbin Bosch hit a couple of boundaries towards the end to help Mumbai Indians post 162 for 6.
