Mumbai are due an off game: Marcus Stoinis on IPL 2020 final

Tags: Indian T20 League 2020, Delhi XI, Mumbai XI, Marcus Peter Stoinis

Published on: Nov 09, 2020

Delhi Capitals progressed to their maiden IPL final following an excellent all-round display to stun Sunrisers Hyderabad in the second Qualifier at Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Batting first, DC posted an impressive 189 on the back of Shikhar Dhawan’s 78 and crucial contributions from Marcus Stoinis (38 from 27 opening the innings) and Shimron Hetmyer 42 not out from 22 balls.

Stoinis and Kagiso Rabada then picked up seven wickets between themselves to stall SRH’s chase despite Kane Williamson’s 45-ball 67 and Abdul Samad’s 33 from 16 balls. In the end, SRH only managed to reach 172 for 8, and went down by 17 runs.

Sharing his experience of opening the innings, Stoinis, who was adjudged the man of the match for his all-round brilliance, stated that he had batted at the top in the BBL, so it was nice to get an opportunity. “Never know what it's going to be like early. There was swing early on. So had a bit of a look at it before having a crack,” he said at the post-match conference

On Delhi’s maiden IPL final, the Aussie all-rounder stated that this would be his first IPL final too. “It's been hard with quarantine but a bit of silverware is good motivation. MI are a very good team. Have played consistently. But they're due an off game. Our best cricket should be good enough to win,” he added on the challenge of facing defending champions Mumbai Indians in the final.

An elated winning captain Shreyas Iyer added, “Best feeling ever (reaching final). Journey has been a rollercoaster. End of the day we stuck together as a family. Very happy with the effort every individual has put in. Has taught me many things. Lot of responsibility comes with being a captain. But have been getting support from coaches and support staff. On top of that the team has been so special. Really fortunate to have such an amazing team.

“The emotions keep going high and low, so you can't have a same set of routines. Have to keep chopping and changing. Hoping that in the next game as well, against MI the biggest team, we're able to play freely,” he added.

Explaining DC’s tactics in the match, he further stated, “Were going at 10rpo, but we know Rashid can be lethal in the middle. Plan was to not give him wickets. Were lacking with the opening partnership. Needed a rocket start. We thought if he (Stoinis) goes and plays maximum deliveries he can give us a good start.

Losing captain David Warner said he was proud of the way the team fought till the end. “First and foremost, no one gave us a chance at the start. Mumbai has a great team, Delhi as well, and RCB, but I'm proud to be where we are today. Natarajan is a find of this IPL, and he's been outstanding. Rashid has been amazing, and so has been Manish Pandey at No. 3. From an all-round perspective, it's been great. I'd like to thank all our supporters at home. The main thing is attitude in the field.

--Renin Wilben Albert

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