T20 Mumbai League: Shreyas Iyer credits fielding for Mumbai Falcons' victory over MSC Maratha Royals
Mumbai, June 4
SOBO Mumbai Falcons' star player Shreyas Iyer on Thursday gave credit to their fielding and the comeback with the ball after the Power-play, which helped them register their first victory of the T20 Mumbai League 2026, overcoming MSC Maratha Royals by three wickets in a contest that swung dramatically before being settled in the final over at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
Mumbai Falcons came back strongly with the ball and restricted Maratha Royals to 152/9 in 20 overs with Akash Parkar (3-22) and Yash Dicholkar (3-25) claiming three wickets each. Chasing 153, Aditya Tare (42) and Shreyas Iyer (30) shared a crucial partnership to help Mumbai Falcons to a three-wicket victory.
"It was an exciting game. The highlight of the game was our fielding - the way we took catches, the stops, and also the comeback after the sixth over. That was crucial for us. It changed the momentum and restricted them to 150. Looking at the scoreboard and the wicket, I thought it would be a comfortable chase," Iyer said after the match at the Wankhede Stadium.
Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Tare set the tone with an aggressive 42 off just 19 deliveries, while Ishan Mulchandani chipped in with a composed 29 as the pair stitched together a 57-run opening stand.
The momentum continued when India batter Shreyas Iyer entered as the Impact Player and immediately made his presence felt. Mixing timing with power, Iyer struck 30 off 24 balls, including two boundaries and two sixes, helping the Falcons surge to 106/2 by the 12th over and seemingly putting the chase beyond doubt.
However, the match took an unexpected turn after Iyer's dismissal. The Royals mounted a spirited comeback, striking regularly and reducing the Falcons from a position of comfort to a state of uncertainty. Four wickets fell for just 21 runs as the pressure shifted onto the chasing side and hopes of a Royals revival grew.
"We got a tremendous start from Tare and, although there was a bit of a crumble in the middle, the players held their instincts pretty well. To finish it in the last over was the icing on the cake. What stood out for me was the intent we showed, especially right from ball one. That was the hallmark of the game," said Shreyas Iyer.
Iyer said the T20 Mumbai League 2026 is a great opportunity for the players. "The players are gaining experience at this level, and I'm sure they'll learn through the hardships and failures they've seen in the last couple of games and come back stronger in their attitude and approach going forward," Shreyas Iyer concluded.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who watches a lot of T20 leagues around the world, I have to say the quality in the T20 Mumbai League is impressive. Akash Parkar with 3-22 was the real game-changer for me. That's the kind of depth India has in pace bowling now.
Aditya Tare's 42 off 19 balls - that's proper vintage stuff! He's been around for so long and still plays with that fearless attitude. Domestic tournaments like these are the backbone of Indian cricket. More power to Mumbai cricket! 🏏🔥
Nice to see Shreyas Iyer crediting the fielding and the bowlers. But honestly, that middle-order collapse was a bit concerning. If they want to go all the way, they need to close out games more smoothly. Still, a win is a win! 🙌
The way the Royals fought back after Iyer's dismissal shows this league has real depth. It's not just about the star names - the young bowlers are learning how to execute under pressure. That's how you build a strong cricket ecosystem.
Shreyas Iyer as Impact Player and he delivers - that's class! I love how he talks about 'hardships and failures' in the last couple of games. That's the kind of growth mindset we need in Indian cricket. Also, Wankhede crowd must have been buzzing! 🏟️⚡
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