Aggressive McClenaghan helps Mumbai defend

Star turn

It had been four years since a score of under 150 had been defended successfully at Wankhede Stadium, which is one of the most chase-friendly grounds in India, especially in night games when dew invariably plays a part. Even before that last instance, in 2013, in the more innocent days of T20 cricket, scores under 150 had been defended only on three other occasions.

Mumbai Indians were up against all the odds when they began the second innings after some underwhelming batting. It was clear they needed wickets before the rags came out. All Delhi Daredevils needed was a half-decent start. If they went into the last 10 overs with even six wickets in hand, the presence of Chris Morris would make them the favourites.

As usual, for Mumbai, when wickets were needed, Mitchell McClenaghan was the man bowling those uncomfortable lengths. In his first spell of 2-0-7-3, McClenaghan took out three of batting hopes the Delhi Daredevils carried: Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer and compatriot Corey Anderson.

Those early strikes meant Morris and Kagiso Rabada had to just bat out a few overs to just make sure they didn't lose by a margin that ran into three figures. And when the two did give themselves a half chance with a 67-run partnership going into the 16th over, back came McClenagahan to snuff out all the hope. After so much hard work, Daredevils had brought it down to 52 off 30, and McClenaghan heartlessly bowled an over for five runs and a bye to end it there. He ended with 4-0-24-3 in the smallest defence of the season.

The wow moment

The quick length ball that seamed back in to trap his international team-mate Anderson plumb in front, the appeal to go with it, and the celebrations: McClenaghan down on his knees and his team-mates jumping on him. "Yeah yeah, he has pumped me around the park numerous times at various places," McClenaghan said of the batsman. "I think it's 10-1 at the moment."

Stats that matter

• On a pitch that gripped a little bit, McClenaghan bowled 17 balls on a length or shorter. Two length balls and one short ball got him the wickets.

• Since McClenaghan's IPL debut, in 2015, only Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken more three-wicket hauls than his six.

• Only Bhuvneshwar and Yuzvendra Chahal have taken more wickets than his 47 in this period.

• Among bowlers with a minimum of 25 IPL wickets, McClenaghan's 16.3 is the sixth-best strike rate.