IPL: Pandya inspires Mumbai Indians win

Krunal Pandya excelled with bat and ball to inspire Mumbai Indians to an 80-run thrashing of fellow Indian Premier League play-off hopefuls Delhi Daredevils.

The Indians really needed a win to enhance their chances of claiming a top-four finish and the defending champions delivered in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

All-rounder Pandya was the star of the show, smashing a brutal 86 from only 37 balls to ensure Mumbai posted a daunting 206-4 before taking 2-15 as Delhi were all out for only 126 in reply.

Victory for Mumbai puts them third in the table and level on points with a Gujarat Lions side who have a game in hand, with the two sides meeting in what could be a decisive match next Saturday.

Delhi, who occupy fifth spot but have played two games less than Mumbai, looked like facing a big run chase when Rohit Sharma (31 from 21) and Martin Guptill (48 off 42) combined for a brisk opening stand of 46.

But it was the arrival of Pandya that sparked the onslaught as he scored his maiden IPL half-century from only 22 balls, bludgeoning six sixes as spinners and Imran Tahir (0-59) and Amit Mishra (1-42) were given disdainful treatment.

Guptill also cut loose, clearing the ropes three times, before Pandya dismissed top-scorer Quinton de Kock (40), who was not impressed to be given out caught behind, while Jasprit Bumrah (3-13) also did damage as Mumbai eased to victory.