Mumbai Indians (MI) proved that they are the undisputed champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), as they won their fifth title, by drubbing Delhi Capitals (DC) in the final of the 2020 edition, in Dubai, on Tuesday. Furthermore, it also made skipper Rohit Sharma the most successful T20 captain in the world.
undefined
MI, who were the defending champions, also became only the second team in IPL's history to successfully defend their title, after Chennai Super Kings (CSK), besides ending their jinx of winning the title only in odd years. Meanwhile, the entire MI franchise was delighted with the win, as we take a look at how the players and dugout reacted to it.
undefined
Quinton de Kock: "Obviously, it helps that Mumbai have a great set-up, so we've been able to move with the gym work and training and stuff. Missing the family has obviously been difficult for everyone, some of our families couldn't come with us, but we held in and we're reaping the rewards today for it. You can see how much it [winning] means to everyone in the Mumbai team - staff and the owners. I think this year because there were questions around Mumbai team in general, whether we can win back-to-back. I think the guys really did the extra work, to make sure we can hold on to the title for the second time in a row. I think everybody worked extra hard. You can see it's paid off. Congrats to all the guys who worked extra hard on all the nitty-gritties."
undefined
Ishan Kishan: "I think, to be honest, I wasn't looking in good shape before this season. I had a chat with Hardik bhai and Krunal bhai, so they actually asked me to improve my fitness and keep working on my off-side game. I think that overall worked good for my batting and that was the plus point for me this season to score big runs."
undefined
Suryakumar Yadav: "I think it's an amazing feeling. Before coming here, we had a chat in the bus and even in the team meetings that we have won tournaments in alternate years and odd years, and we wanted to break that jinx and create history. So here it is, very happy with it. I think they [coaches and support staff] have been amazing throughout the tournament. Preparations, process are all important. They just said one thing, we will take care of all this you guys just go out there, express yourselves, enjoy and do what you do the best. I think he [Rohit] was batting really well at that moment [when I sacrificed my wicket]. Most importantly, he has been anchoring the innings since the first game. And, I don't mind sacrificing my wicket for him at all."
undefined
Jasprit Bumrah: "It means a great deal [us playing this tournament amid a pandemic]. As we know, it is a difficult time and everyone's stuck at home. We are few of the privileged ones. We are grateful we can always play cricket and come back, and do what we love to do. It is a big thing and we can entertain those who are watching us as well. It is a big thing in this difficult situation if you can give a bit of entertainment for people watching at home and you know facing difficulties. If we could bring smiles to their faces, that's the best we can do. Hopefully, we were able to do that."
undefined
"Very happy [to win the title]. We have worked very hard. We started preparing much earlier than the other teams and we were working hard towards the process. All the processes have got us results. As he [Suryakumar] said, we had decided we were winning tournaments every alternate year, so this year's goal was that we had to break that jinx and that aim has been successfully achieved. That's the best feeling ever."
undefined
Krunal Pandya: "I guess it's the hunger to stay at the top always. We've never taken any season or any game lightly, though we've we've played good cricket this season as well. The way we went about all the games - there was 100% effort from all the boys and a lot of credit goes to how we prepared before the season as well. Back in Mumbai for two months, everyone was training hard and from hereon, one month before we came, everyone knew their roles very clearly. Then, when the tournament started, everyone was in good shape and going out, and executing what they've been doing at the nets."
undefined
"There has never been doubt at Ishan's talent and the No.1 thing I liked about him this season was he was ready to improve. The moment you know you're lacking something and accepting you have to work hard. All credit goes to him...the way he came back this season. He was not there in the first playing XI and he got his opportunity and capitalised on it. It's not easy batting at four, then again opening the batting, and again batting at four."
undefined
Hardik Pandya: "To be honest, no [was this IPL difficult because you could just execute one skill?]. For me, it was about opportunity, whether batting or bowling. For me bowling this year, I wasn't able to do. But, it's just about backing myself, and as Krunal mentioned, it's all about preparation. On that bracket, we did pretty well and we focused on improving our game day-by-day, and that's what we were able to implement in the ground."
undefined
Nathan Coulter-Nile: "Ah, I think, Patto [James Pattinson] was bowling beautifully, so I was just quite happy to sit on the sidelines and wait [for] my turn. I got my chance at the end and [I was] lucky enough to kick him out of the side. He's a very good bowler, and he'd have done the job just as well today, so happy I got the chance."
undefined
Match summary: Winning the toss, Iyer opted to bat first. While the decision was a wise one, the MI bowlers got the better of them, as they lost their opening three wickets in the PP. Although Iyer (65*) and Pant (56) produced a 96-run stand for the fourth wicket to take them to a par total of 1567, it was not enough, as Boult rattled them with 330. In reply, it was Rohit's powerful knock of 68, which was enough to see MI through by five wickets, as they sailed with their fifth title win.
undefined