Dubai, November 10 (India Today) – It looked like Mumbai Indians were definitely not going to lose the IPL 2020 final and it remained that way as Rohit Sharma’s men won a record-extending 5th title by decimating first-time finalists Delhi Capitals by 5 wickets. Barring blips in their first and last league games, MI were always on top gear and they made it all look easy at the end.
The powerhouse of T20 cricket needed just 18.4 overs to gun down a target of 157 in what turned out to be the shortest final in the history of IPL, in terms of the overs played.
Led by captain Rohit Sharma’s 68 and a terrific Trent Boult, Mumbai Indians used all their experience of having featured in 5 previous IPL finals to good effect against Shreyas Iyer’s men.
Rohit Sharma had not been in the best of forms, marred by injury concern, until the final. However, on the big day, it was Rohit’s show all the way as he took the Delhi Capitals’ new ball attack to the cleaners.
Rohit’s masterclass comes a day after he was rested from the ODI and T20I legs of India’s tour of Australia.
Rohit Sharma has become only the 2nd captain after MS Dhoni to successfully lead a title defence. Mumbai Indians broke their even-year jinx by winning their first title in an odd year (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020).
It was also the first time in the history of the IPL that a leap year hasn’t had a new champion — 2008 Rajasthan Royals, 2012 Kolkata Knight Riders and 2016 Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Mumbai Indians, known for their meticulous pre-season planning and excellent use of data and match-ups, looked a well-oiled machine as they proved yet again why they are the most dominant side of IPL 2020.
From not winning even a single match during their trip to the UAE in 2014 to bossing the tournament in 2020, Rohit’s men have effortlessly turned their fortunes around in the Middle East.
