Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma reckoned it was better to bat first on a rather sluggish Kotla pitch than chase down a total. On a barren strip where stroke-making was bound to get difficult with passage of time, Mumbai fancied their chances of restricting Delhi Capitals well below whatever they put up on the board. Rohit's hunch was correct as a target of 169 proved well beyond the home side.

The Mumbai bowlers, led by leg-spinner Rahul Chahar and pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and veteran Lasith Malinga bowling with guile, just did not allow Delhi have a whiff of a win.