Mukesh Kumar vs Tilak Verma: In the 8th match of IPL 2026, Delhi Capitals won the toss and decided to bowl first against Mumbai Indians. This decision proved to be completely correct, because Delhi’s fast bowling gave a blow to Mumbai’s innings in the initial overs itself. At the beginning of the match, Delhi Capitals fast bowler Mukesh Kumar took the new ball and did not give any big chance to Mumbai by spending only 8 runs in the first over. But his second over proved to be the turning point of the match.
Mukesh Kumar took 2 wickets in one over
Mukesh Kumar sent Mumbai opener Ryan Rickleton to the pavilion on the third ball of the third over of the innings. Then on the fifth ball of the same over, he also dismissed Tilak Verma. Tilak Verma could not even open his account and returned after facing only 2 balls. Mukesh bowled a fuller slower ball, on which Tilak went to play a quick shot and the ball hit the bat and returned back to Mukesh. Mukesh took a brilliant catch while slipping. In this way, Mukesh gave a strong start to Delhi by taking two wickets in one over.
Mukesh Kumar’s performance in front of Tilak Verma has always been strong. In the 5 matches between the two in IPL, Tilak has scored only 26 runs, in which he has become Mukesh’s victim 4 times. His average has been only 6.5, while his strike rate has been 173.3. Mukesh’s precise line-length bowling has managed to trouble an aggressive batsman like Tilak.
Mumbai scored 41 runs in powerplay
Due to this brilliant bowling of Mukesh Kumar, Mumbai Indians team could score only 41 runs in the first over. However, after the first two wickets fell for 18 runs, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav took charge of the innings. A good partnership was seen between the two players.