Marcus Stoinis Unsure Of Opening In The Final Against Mumbai Indians

Delhi Capitals’ all-rounder Marcus Stoinis hit the top gear against SunRisers Hyderabad in the second qualifier on Sunday in Abu Dhabi. Opening for the first time in IPL 2020, Marcus Stoinis gave the Capitals a breezy start, adding 86 in 50 balls with Shikhar Dhawan. The all-rounder responded with three wickets with the ball as well; however, is uncertain of opening in the final against Mumbai Indians.

Delhi Capitals, who suffered a heavy defeat to Mumbai Indians in the first qualifier, won the toss and elected to bat first in the must-win clash. They installed a new opening combination in Marcus Stoinis and Shikhar Dhawan that paid off handsomely. Shikhar Dhawan was the top run-scorer with 78 as Shimron Hetmyer chipped in with 42 off 23 balls at the end as the final flourish, lifting them to 189.

SunRisers Hyderabad did not have the desired start, losing David Warner in the second over cheaply to Kagiso Rabada. After scoring 38 off 27 deliveries, Marcus Stoinis hoped to create magic with the ball. The 31-year old did in the first over itself, removing Priyam Garg and Manish Pandey. Kane Williamson stood like a rock for the 2016 champions and shared a 57-run stand with Abdul Samad, threatening to take them home.

Stoinis came back in the 17th over to tilt the scales to the Capitals’ favour as Williamson perished for 67 as he finished with figures of 3-26-3. Kagiso Rabada closed out the Capitals’ innings by picking three wickets as SunRisers fell short by 17 runs in a steep chase. It helped the Delhi Capitals progress to their first final of IPL as they aim to beat the four-time and defending champions.

“This tournament has been hard for everyone with quarantine and missing family” : Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis admitted it was a delight to get an opportunity to bat at the top, underlining that there was swing on offer early and had to play cautiously. The Western Australian acknowledged the tournament being hard on everyone due to the quarantine rules. While Stoinis revealed that they would discuss with Ricky Ponting about him opening in the final, he said that Mumbai Indians are due on having an off day. He remains focussed on playing their best cricket to win in Dubai.

“Have done it for a couple of seasons so it was nice to get an opportunity to bat at the top. There was a bit of swing early. We had a look at it first, and then we let go. I asked Rashid what the send-off was all about but he told me he didn’t say anything. So all fine. This tournament has been hard for everyone with quarantine and missing family etc. I am not sure if I will open in the final. We will speak to Ricky and see what to do. Mumbai are a very good team but I would like to say they are due an off day. See our best cricket should be enough to win so we have to play our best cricket,” Stoinis told in the post-match presentation.

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