Mumbai's fairytale end

Players of Mumbai Indians are over the moon after their 31-run victory against RCB in the Champions League Twenty20 final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai yesterday. Photo: AFP

On a night of mediocre cricket, Mumbai Indians kept their surprise run going to win the biggest financial tournament in non-international cricket-the Champions League Twenty20 - with a 31-run win over the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai yesterday.
James Franklin was the only man to keep his head in a suicidal Mumbai Indian innings, which helped them to 139 in their share of 20 overs.
But the Royal Challengers once again choked in a big final to lose despite a start of 38 for 0 in four overs. They were all out with four balls remaining, sparking a wild celebration in the opposition camp with fireworks illuminating the night's sky.
For the vanquished this was a painful repeat of their IPL final in Johannesburg where they froze while chasing 144 prompting someone to twit: "Royal CHOKERS Bangalore" immediately after the defeat. Another fan was quick to quip "RCB are just like ARSENAL....for once they look like they are gonna win everything, but eventually they will end up with nothing."
The victors, though, can claim they once again won the big moments: through Franklin's sober innings, through Lasith Malinga's two sixes amid a collapse, through an extra over given to Malinga that produced a wicket, and through their spinners' seven overs for 30 runs and five wickets.
Mumbai captain Harbhajan Singh however saved the best for the last. The off-spinner removed hard-hitting Chris Gayle (5), Virat Kohli (11) and Daniel Vettori (1) as Mumbai dismissed Bangalore on a low, slow pitch where stroke-making was not easy.
Harbhajan was superbly backed by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who finished with 2-9 off three tight overs.
Bangalore lost their way after Sri Lankan Tillakaratne Dilshan dominated a 38-run stand for the opening wicket off four overs with Gayle. Dilshan scored a 20-ball 27 before being bowled by compatriot Lasith Malinga, who capped a fine tournament with 2-23 and won the man-of-the-series award.
Mumbai, who were without star batsman Sachin Tendulkar due to a toe injury, got $2.5 million for clinching the title while Bangalore took home $1.3 million.
Mumbai earlier looked like setting a stiff target after winning the toss when they reached 105-3 in the 14th over, but they lost four wickets for as many runs, with left-arm spinner Vettori taking two.
New Zealander James Franklin (41) propped up the innings after Mumbai had lost both openers for 24 runs as he added 41 for the third wicket with Ambati Rayudu (22) and 40 for the next with Suryakumar Yadav (24).
But Mumbai suffered a twin blow when well-set Franklin and Yadav were run out in the space of three runs. Franklin hit two sixes and as many fours in his 29-ball knock.
New Zealander Vettori then struck twice in his fourth and last over to put more pressure on Mumbai, dismissing Kieron Pollard (two) and skipper Harbhajan for no score to finish with 2-30.
Seamer Raju Bhatkal was the most successful bowler with 3-21, including two wickets in his third over.
SCORES IN BRIEF
Mumbai Indians: 139 all out in 20 overs (Franklin 41; Bhatkal 3-21, Vettori 2-30)
Royal Challengers Bangalore: 108 all out in 19.2 overs (Dilshan 27; Harbhajan 3-20, Chahal 2-9, Malinga 2-23)
Result: Mumbai Indians won the final by 31 runs.
Man-of-the-match: Harbhajan Singh
Man-of-the-series: Lasith Malinga