'Daniel Sams bowling 18th over was mistake' - Aakash Chopra on MI's opening game loss against DC

Delhi Capitals locked horns with Mumbai Indians in match two of the Indian Premier League where Rishabh Pant-led side stunned the five-time champions to emerge victorious by four wickets. In the same context, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has come up to point out where it went wrong for Mumbai Indians in their campaign opener.

DC were chasing 178 runs and kept losing wickets at the start, but Lalit Yadav (48* off 38) and Axar Patel (38* off 17) held their nerves to take them over the line. However, Chopra stated that giving 18^th over to Daniel Sams turned out to be wrong for Rohit Sharma and his men, who conceded a massive 24 runs in the crucial over.

The cricket expert was of the opinion that either Jasprit Bumrah or Tymal Mills should have bowled that over but even MI would have been hurt with Bumrah’s show in their first game. It is to be noted that Mumbai’s ace pacer Bumrah leaked 43 runs in the game against DC while bowling 3.2 overs.

Either Tymal Mills or Bumrah should have come in: Aakash Chopra

“Lalit Yadav played well, and after Shardul Thakur’s effective cameo Axar Patel came in and scored at a strike rate of 200. But there were two to three important things to consider as MI made a few mistakes. Daniel Sams bowling the 18th over was a mistake. Either Tymal Mills or Bumrah should have come in. I felt Daniel Sams would bowl the 20th over. 24 runs came in that 18th over. (Jasprit) Bumrah was very expensive which also hurt MI,” said Chopra while speaking on his YouTube channel.

Apart from the batting show flaunted by Patel and Lalit Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav showcased some brilliant bowling in DC’s first game. He picked up three wickets while conceding just 18 runs in four overs to be declared as the player of the match. His performance became a talking point as he put aside the last two dismal IPL seasons to shine well.