As the most successful side in IPL history, Mumbai Indians are well used to celebrating achievements.
They had a new one to toast on Sunday afternoon, after becoming the first side in the 2020 season to keep their opposition to less than 200 in Sharjah.
Such has been the torrent of runs at the UAE’s oldest cricket venue over the past couple of weeks, it represented quite a feat.
Mumbai had barely hit top gear themselves with the bat, yet still made 208-5 from their 20 overs, in the first early afternoon start in Sharjah in the tournament so far.
Quinton de Kock made his first half-century of the campaign, and top-scored with 67 for the defending champions.
They also had Krunal Pandya to thank for breaching the 200 mark. The left-handed all-rounder hit the last four balls of the innings for 20.
That more or less pushed the challenge beyond Sunrisers Hyderabad, who eventually fell 34 runs short.
“Everyone has spoken about how the ground is really small here, so I guess the strategy was the get the maximum runs at the end,” Pandya said
“We saw from the Delhi [Capitals, when they beat Kolkata Knights Riders on Saturday night] game that, if you get past 200, the pressure will be there while chasing.
“I guess it is better to bat first, put up a good total, and then the bowlers can execute their plans.”
Rohit Sharma, Mumbai’s captain, praised his side’s bowlers. Trent Boult was named man of the match for his 2-28, while James Pattinson took 2-29.
“You come with bowling plans,” Rohit said.
“Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but you have to bowl the best delivery at the time.
“I don't try to impose my plans on them. I want them to give me their plan, and then I set the field. It is always nice to have bowlers who do that.”
Boult will have been delighted that one plan in particular came together. He outfoxed his New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson, with a slower bouncer, which he feathered to De Kock behind the wicket.
“I don't actually get Kane out too much in the nets, so it was nice to do so, but more important to get the wicket,” Boult said.
“These are very foreign conditions for me. It’s very hot, but you have to be clear in your head, execute what you want to do, and not worry about the ball travelling out of the park.”
David Warner, who made 60 in a losing cause for Hyderabad, bemoaned the death bowling of his side.
VVS Laxman, Hyderabad’s coach, pointed to the fact they were having to give first starts of the season to two seamers, in the absence of the injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed.
Sandeep Sharma went for 41 from his four overs, while Siddarth Kaul suffered rough treatment in conceding 64 runs.
“It is a very tough wicket to bowl on,” Laxman said.
