Ishant Sharma's sheer pace and ability to manipulate the seam in his opening burst paved the way for Deccan Chargers to score an unexpected 10-run victory over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium here on Saturday.
It was another dismal performance by the last season's finalist and which began the IPL-IV as a favourite. After a fourth defeat in 12 matches MI's points position stands at 16.
Though not consistently among wickets, except for a five wicket peach of a performance against Kochi Tuskers Kerala at Kochi, Ishant stood up to the task admirably — in the absence of Dale Steyn — in defence of a small total.
The lanky seamer generated speed, extracted bounce, rattled the MI top order and most importantly dispatched Ambati Rayudu and Rohit Sharma in an extended three-over spell.
Building up pressure
After off-spinner Jean-Paul Duminy had accounted for Aiden Blizzard, left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and leg spinner Amit Mishra (Man-of-the-Match) played a vital role in building up pressure.
Earlier Michael Lumb's return to IPL action after a year was brutally terminated by Lasith Malinga off the second ball he sent down.
The left hander, who had met with some success for Rajasthan Royals in the previous season, lost his balance and his stumps as a result of the yorker-length delivery the Sri Lankan bowled with precision.
Regular wickets
The Chargers barely managed to recover from the Malinga blow and lost wickets at regular intervals, though the stocky Sunny Sohal smashed two sixed off Munaf Patel and T. Suman.
The home side pressed hard for wickets, but it did not fructify until Kieron Pollard, in keeping with his spectacular fielding and catching right through the tournament, converted a splendid skier that came of the leading edge of the Chargers' captain Kumar Sangakkara.
Then Rayudu whipped off the bails when Duminy, drawn forward by Harbhajan Singh, failed to stretch his back leg inside the batting crease.
The MI fielding was not exactly flawless as it was against Chennai Super Kings at the same venue three weeks ago, but nonetheless it never allowed the Chargers the leeway to push the run rate at any point.
The Chargers managed to post a modest total, thanks to the big blows struck by Amit Mishra off the last over of its innings bowled by Munaf.
The over — marred by some unnecessary quarrelling between Munaf and Mishra — fetched a substantial 23 runs and offered some hope for Sangakkara's team to make a contest of the match.
Scoreboard
Deccan Chargers: M. Lumb b Malinga 0 (2b), S. Sohal c Symonds b Pollard 20 (22b, 2x6), K. Sangakkara c Pollard b Kulkarni 27 (28b, 1x4, 1x6), J-P Duminy st. Rayudu b Harbhajan 8 (10b, 1x4), B. Chipli c Suman b Kulkarni 10 (11b, 1x4), D. Christian b Kulkarni 18 (23b), S. Dhawan (not out) 27 (18b, 2x4, 1x6), A. Mishra (not out) 18 (6b, 4x4); Extras (lb-4, w-3): 7, Total (for 6 wkts in 20 overs): 135.
Fall of wickets: 0-1, 2-39, 3-53, 4-58, 5-77, 6-105.
Mumbai Indians bowling: Malinga 4-0-17-1, Patel 4-0-37-0, Harbhajan 4-0-26-1, Kulkarni 4-0-26-3, Suman 2-0-15-0, Pollard 2-0-10-1.
Mumbai Indians: S. Tendulkar lbw b Rajan 37 (42b, 3x4), A. Blizzard b Duminy 1 (7b), A. Rayudu b Ishant 2 (8b), Rahul c Sangakkara b Ishant 4 (6b, 1x4), A. Symonds c Ishant b Mishra 8 (19b), T. Suman c Dhawan b Rajan 14 (13b, 2x6), K. Pollard c Lumb b Rajan 24 (13b, 3x4, 1x6), Harbhajan (not out) 17 (11b, 1x4, 1x6), L. Malinga (run out) 0 (0b), D. Kulkarni (not out) 0 (0b); Extras (b-8, lb-2, w-8 ): 18; Total (for 8 wkts in 20 overs): 125.
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-19, 3-25, 4-54, 5-81, 6-83, 7-123, 8-124.
Deccan Chargers bowling: Duminy 2-0-3-1, Ishant 4-0-30-2, Ojha 4-0-16-0, Rajan 3-0-27-3, Christian 3-0-21-0, Mishra 4-0-18-1.
Man-of-the-Match: Amit Mishra.
