Mumbai Indians made history last week as they won their fifth Indian Premier league title by sweeping aside Delhi Capitals in the final. They also become only the second team after Chennai Super Kings to win back-to back titles.
Such dominance is all the more extraordinary in a league that was only founded 13 years ago and is set up to be as competitive as possible. Mumbai have bought intelligently at the auction and select their line-ups with surgical precision based on the opponent and the conditions. In doing so, they have created a dynasty.
Nowhere was this more obvious than the selection of Jayant Yadav for the finale. Yadav had played just once all season, but it was expected that his off-spin would challenge Delhi’s left-hand dominated batting line-up led by Shikar Dhawan, whose 600 runs had been vital to their run to their first ever final. And when Yadav removed danger man Dhawan in the fourth over for just 18 runs, leaving the Capitals rocking at 22-3, Mumbai looked to have the game wrapped up.
Delhi captain Shreyas Ayer (65 not out from 51 balls) and Rishabh Pant (56 off 35) added 96 for the fourth wicket to restore some respectability and at one point it appeared they might fight their way towards 170. However, the Mumbai bowling attack, led by man of the match Trent Boult (4-0-30-3), limited Delhi to a miserly 156-7 off their 20 overs.
In response, Mumbai looked in full control at 90-1 at the end of the eleventh over. But Delhi were offered a lifeline when Rohit Sharma called Surayakumar Yadav through for a quick single that the latter never wanted. Both batters ended up at the non-striker’s end and Yadav, realising that one of them would be run out, stepped out of his ground so that Rohit, who was nearing 50, could continue.
However, Delhi could not capitalise and even when Rohit finally fell for 68 off 51 with 22 needed off the last 20 balls, it was Mr Mumbai himself, Keiron Pollard, who smashed 9 off 4 to practically seal the deal before Krunal Pandya hit the winning run with eight balls to spare.
Moved to the UAE and played in front of empty stadiums due to concerns about coronavirus cases in India, this year’s tournament undoubtedly lacked some of the glamour that is usually associated with the IPL. And yet from “that” day with three super overs including two in the same match, to Nicholas Pooran’s gravity-defying boundary save and Chris Gayle truly affirming his legendary status by reaching the ridiculous milestone of 1,000 T20 sixes, the cricket has been as breathtaking as ever.
Moreover, while the IPL seldom fails to produce jaw-dropping action the like of which is usually reserved for the world of sports videogames, the latter stages are usually dominated by dead rubbers as teams fall out of contention. Not this year. The league ebbed and flowed, form came and went and eventually it all came down to a dramatic final weekend with five teams taking aim for the last two play-off spaces. The qualification permutations were almost indecipherable, but it was thrilling.
At times, it felt like anyone could beat anyone else. Almost. Because through all the chaos and drama, Mumbai stood apart from the rest. They had the best players, the best tactics, and they won. It was a memorable, remarkable tournament. Some people have called it the best ever. If so, it is fitting that it was won by the best T20 side the world has ever seen.
Image: Daljit8 via Wikimedia Commons