MI Secure Their First IPL 2024 Win Thanks to Shepherd’s 10-ball Cameo

The West Indian smashed the ball at an insane strike rate of 390, the highest in the IPL by any batter who has faced more than 10 deliveries.

MI, the five-time champions of the Indian Premier League, breathed a collective sigh of relief as they secured their first win of the season in a thrilling encounter against DC in 2024 season. The match, characterized by nail-biting suspense and dramatic twists, witnessed an unexpected hero emerge in the form of Shepherd, whose 10-ball cameo propelled the Indians to victory. 

Tristan Stubbs’s stunning counterattack was in vain as Delhi Capitals went down by 29 runs to Mumbai Indians in a high-scoring game at the Wankhede. Stubbs slammed seven sixes in his 25-ball assault of 71* but was starved of strikes in the last ten balls – when the ask was 42 – meaning DC fell short in reply. Romario Shepherd’s last-over carnage against Anrich Nortje in Mumbai’s batting innings proved to be the difference, earning the hosts their first points of the season.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the exhilarating match between MI and DC, highlighting Shepherd’s crucial contribution and the significance of Mumbai’s maiden win in the IPL 2024 season.

Rohit provides the launchpad

He got going with a cheeky lap shot for four and soon switched gears to give Mumbai the perfect platform in the powerplay. After back-to-back boundaries off Ishant Sharma, Rohit welcomed both Jhye Richardson and Axar Patel into the attack with sixes. 

He took on offspinner Lalit Yadav too, with three boundaries in the space of four balls, to end the powerplay with 75 on the board but Axar cleaned him up on a 27-ball 49 to give DC a much-needed breakthrough.

Delhi comeback in middle overs

Anrich Nortje removed the returning Suryakumar Yadav for a second-ball duck to make it a double blow for MI, and Axar continued his tight spell – all fours overs on the trot – to slow down the Mumbai juggernaut. 

He also took a stunning return catch to remove the dangerous Ishan Kishan after a 23-ball 42, to finish with 2-35. MI scored only 33 runs in the overs between 10 and 15, with Khaleel Ahmed having Tilak Varma caught cheaply at backward point attempting a cut.

David, Shepherd take MI to 234

When MI looked set to be settling for 180-odd eventually, David decided to step on the gas. He dominated the 60-run stand with his captain, Hardik Pandya, hammering four sixes in his unbeaten 21-ball 45 where he took the attack to the pacers at death. Nortje was welcomed back with a four and a six and hit back with Pandya’s wicket in the same over but David dished out the same against veteran Ishant Sharma to take MI past the 200 mark in the penultimate over. 

Shepherd took charge then, whacking 4, 6, 6, 6, 4, 6 off the 20th over. His unbeaten 10-ball cameo of 39 turned MI’s strong total into an imposing one as the hosts plucked 96 runs off the final five overs.

Shaw sets the base for DC

While Bumrah managed to keep the young opener quiet in the powerplay, Shaw took the attack to Gerald Coetzee – slashed for a six – and Akash Madhwal with back-to-back fours to get DC going. He then laid into Piyush Chawla with a slog-sweep for a six first ball, followed by two more boundaries. 

Coetzee continued to be expensive even after the fielding restrictions were off as Shaw moved to a brisk 31-ball half-century before MI resorted to Bumrah, who duly provided the big breakthrough with a peach of a leg-stump toe-crusher that the DC opener had no answer to. That brought Stubbs to the middle.

Stubbs delivers.. almost

Promoted over Rishabh Pant, Stubbs wasted no time in the middle. He slog-swept Chawla twice in the space of four balls for sixes and continued the attack on MI in the death overs after seeing off the miserly Bumrah, who finished with 2-22 after Abhishek Porel holed out for 41. 

Pant was in and out in a jiffy, and Stubbs took it upon himself to keep DC in the hunt. Madhwal went for 19 in the 16th over that the South African kicked off with a 4, 6, 4 and closed off with a 19-ball fifty to his name. Shepherd was taken for three sixes in the penultimate over, bringing up the 200 for DC in similar time. However, there were no Romario-esque fireworks in the final over with Stubbs not even facing a single ball to take Delhi close.

Conclusion

As MI clinches their first victory of the IPL 2024 season against DC, it’s a moment of celebration and relief for the team and their fans alike. Shepherd’s impressive 10-ball performance turned the tide in MI’s favor, highlighting their resilience and ability to thrive under pressure. 

This win not only boosts MI’s morale but also sets the stage for an exciting journey ahead in the tournament. With renewed confidence and momentum, MI is ready to tackle the challenges that lie ahead and strive for more memorable victories in the IPL 2024.