Where Delhi Capitals failed against Mumbai Indians

Former India batsman and Delhi Capitals scouting head Pravin Amre says batting in the middle overs is one area the team has to work on.

Delhi Capitals scouting head Pravin Amre lamented that the extra 18 runs leaked in the ‘death overs’ cost them Thursday’s IPL match against Mumbai Indians in Delhi, and, going forward, a better performance from the team's middle order is needed.

The Pandya brothers -- Hardik and Krunal -- hammered 51 runs off the last three overs to take Mumbai Indians to 168 for five on a slow and low Kotla wicket.

The 40-run loss was Delhi's third at home in four games though they did well in away matches.

"It is very important to win at home as well. We have won a game so far (the super over one against KKR). The last two games, we did not do well in the Powerplay; the positive in this game was that we did very well in Powerplay (48/0)," Amre said.

"It is the middle overs which really cost us and it is one area we have to work on. If we can play the spinners well in the middle overs, it will be very important," he added at the post-match media interaction.

The former India batsman said Hardik's 15-ball 32 towards the end of Mumbai’s innings was the difference.

"Hardik played a crucial knock. It was a 150-wicket and they managed to get an extra 18-run cushion."

Asked if the slow pitch at home is not suiting their batsmen, Amre replied: "I think if you see the away games, in Mumbai we scored more than 200 runs. When the bounce is there it suits our batsmen.

"We know this Kotla wicket. It is very important how we adapt with this. The way Shikhar (Dhawan) started was outstanding. He read the wicket very well today. It is just in the middle overs our batsmen have to rise up."

Spinners dominated the game, yet Delhi did not use Amit Mishra's full quota after he gave away just 18 runs in three overs and removed Rohit Sharma. Axar Patel, the other Delhi spinner, too bowled well, ending with figures of one for 17 in four overs.

Asked why Delhi did not play an extra spinner considering the conditions, Amre said: "We wanted to be consistent with our selection. Ishant Sharma has been doing well for us in the Powerplay. We wanted to go with the same combination. It is just that the last four overs we conceded too many runs."