Mumbai Indians' assembly of performers proved too hot for Pune Warriors to handle, as the Sachin Tendulkar-led team emerged victor by 21 runs on a night of big-hitting in the IPL-IV match at the D.Y. Patil stadium.
MI defended its total of 160 in style to regain the top spot in the points table with fiery Lasith Malinga setting his team on the road to victory with three for 25. T. Suman top-scored with 36 off 16 balls and Kieron Pollard lashed 28 off 21 balls. Pune Warriors, finishing at 139 for seven in 20 overs and now languishes at the bottom.
Special delivery
Malinga doused Pune Warriors' hopes with a special delivery to remove Yuvraj Singh, rated one of the best finishers in world cricket. The left-hander lost his balance twisting his body away from a bouncer, but was helpless when the ball flew off the bat high towards third-man where Munaf reacted quickly to complete a tumbling catch.
Defending 160 on a lively track, Harbhajan struck a body blow with a first-ball wicket. Then Munaf celebrated with a clenched fist after nailing Graeme Smith.
Manish Pandey tried to break the shackles, wading into the bowling for huge hits against Symonds' off-cutters and Dhawal Kulkarni's military medium. Pune Warriors crawled to 50 for three in 10 overs. The match entered an exciting phase at this stage with Yuvraj and Pandey threatening to break free.
Earlier after losing the toss, Mumbai Indians opened with young Aussie Aiden Blizzard. Tendulkar started off cautiously, treating South African paceman Alfonso Thomas with respect before getting down to business. Rayudu put the scare into Pune Warriors straightaway with three aggressive shots in the first over he faced. Tendulkar matched him with an uppercut, escaped a run-out on 19, but fell to a reflex catch by Ryder at short extra-cover.
The runs dried up once the slow bowlers came on at both ends. Leg-spinner Rahul Sharma bowled accurately and brilliantly for fine figures of two for seven off his four overs.
MI's quest for quick runs in the last three overs began with a huge six by Pollard over fast bowler Taylor's head. Symonds's first offensive shot was a forehand smash off the same bowler before he fell to a catch at long-on.
The big hits came from Pollard in the 19th over. Pollard smashed two sixes and two fours. Suman top-scored at No. 5 with 36 off 16 balls.
