IPL 2020: "MI, one of the best teams but we are also fearless", says DC captain Shreyas Iyer 

Delhi Capitals will take on Mumbai Indians in qualifier 1 for a direct entry in the IPL 2020 final.

By Kashish Chadha - 03 Nov, 2020

As Delhi Capitals (DC) sealed their playoff berth with a six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Monday (November 2), skipper Shreyas Iyer looked forward to the qualifier 1 on Thursday where they'll be taking on Mumbai Indians (MI) for a direct entry in the final. 

The task, Iyer realises, won't be easy at all against an in-form and faultless juggernaut. But he backed his "fearless" troops to carry the momentum past the defending champions. 

Read Also: ‘RCB have played good enough cricket to earn a qualification spot’, says Virat Kohli

"The Mumbai Indians are one of the best teams. Having said that, I feel we are also a fearless and amazing bunch of boys," Iyer said at the post-match press conference, as quoted by PTI

"It really depends on the day. They are pretty experienced in such (finals) stages but the team has a good attitude and good composure on that given day is going to make it through."

"We need to keep things simple and not complicate in pressure situations. The way we have been going, this was a really good win and it's going to be a really good booster as well for us."

Overcoming their four-game losing streak just in the nick of time was also a cause of great relief for Iyer as a heavy defeat to RCB would've left DC vulnerable. 

"This win was very essential and it has put smiles on our faces after four consecutive losses. Today the way we played, it was a comprehensive win. All the departments were covered up well by the players."

"I am really chuffed by their performance, the way they came up and delivered at the right time. The second place obviously makes you feel good after the season you had, with all the ups and downs. The IPL is always a roller-coaster journey."

Iyer was quite pleased with the efforts of No.3 Ajinkya Rahane who, along with fellow half-centurion Shikhar Dhawan (54), batted with admirable maturity through the chase and his knock of 60 runs, helping DC get past RCB's 152/7 with an over to spare. 

"He (Rahane) carries a lot of experience in the IPL and the way he paced his innings, it was amazing to see. It was great example and he peaked at the right time, just when we needed him. With a few important matches coming up, he will definitely play an important role," said the captain. 

While Dhawan and Rahane batted brilliantly, the match was set-up in the first half by pace duo Kagiso Rabada (2/30) and Anrich Nortje (3/33) along with spinners Ravichandran Ashwin (1/18) and Akshar Patel (0/30). 

Devdutt Padikkal (50) scored a fifty and Virat Kohli (29), AB de Villiers (35) looked threatening but RCB needed more from their top-six batters to really challenge DC on a surface playing very true.

By Kashish Chadha - 03 Nov, 2020

TAGS