Mumbai Indians thrash Delhi Daredevils, qualify for IPL 2017 playoffs

Mumbai Indians became the first team of IPL 2017 to qualify for the playoffs after thrashing Delhi Daredevils by a record margin of 146 runs in New Delhi on Saturday night.

Mumbai Indians opener Lendl Simmons scored 66 in 43 balls (5x4, 4x6) while Kieron Pollard stroked his way to an unbeaten 63 in 35 balls (5x4, 4x6) as Mumbai Indians thrashed Delhi Daredevils by 146 runs to clinch their ninth win in IPL 10. It is the biggest margin of victory in IPL, bettering RCB’s 144-run win over Gujarat Lions in 2016.(Highlights | Scorecard)

Kieron Pollard and Lendl Simmons guided Mumbai Indians to a comprehensive 146-run victory over Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2017 on Saturday night.(BCCI)

Chasing 213, DD were dismissed for 66, their lowest total. The Mumbai bowling was measured and to the field as they ensured Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant, who had starred in the previous match, were dismissed in single digits.

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For Mumbai, three important stands of 59*, 37, 37 that Pollard featured took them beyond 200.

Pollard batted like a senior pro holding the innings together.

On days like these, you wonder how Pollard can change gears. Usually he is sent in the slog overs as he can smash the ball literally into parking lots. On Saturday, he showed he has the ability to bat through as well.

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Leg-spinner Amit Mishra troubled him early on, bowling really slow and even beating him a couple of times. Pollard, however, waited like a lion in the bushes waiting for the prey to commit the slightest of mistakes. Mishra finally blinked and was hunted by Pollard.

Mishra bowled his usual back-spins in order to vary his pace. Pollard blasted one into the third tier. Mishra got defensive and dropped a little short. Pollard had expected it and he rocked back, handing Mishra the same treatment. The leggie finished with 4-0-37-1. But for Pollard’s treatment, his figures could have been way better.

Delhi have been miserable on the field off late. On Saturday, they let off Hardik Pandya who was dropped by Shreyas Iyer in the penultimate over.

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Hardik made use of the opportunity, hitting Cummins for two sixes and a boundary in the final over.

Simmons, who had a forgettable T20 series against Pakistan last month, did well here.

He didn’t look confident at the start but stayed on the crease and patiently worked his way into form. Once he got used to the pace of Kotla wicket, he used the crease well and improvised a few strokes. He was soon moving back in the crease and playing shots through the point and cover.

Simmons reached 1000 runs in IPL and his innings on Saturday showed how much he loves playing here.

DD were miserable, losing wickets regularly. Only Karun Nair could cross 20. Spinners Harbhajan Singh and Karn Sharma picked three wickets each.