MI clinch a thriller
The fifth edition of the IPL, which got off to a tepid start, finally had a nail-biter as Rohit Sharma hit the last ball of the match for six to seal a cinematic finish for Mumbai Indians against Deccan Chargers at the Y.S.Rajsekhara Reddy Stadium yesterday.
Chasing a target of 139, Mumbai Indians made 142 for five with Rohit Sharma scoring a match-winning unbeaten 73.
Daniel Christian, not the wisest choice for the final over, dished out two full tosses to Rohit Sharma, including the final ball which was smacked over long-on with three needed.
Kumar Sangakkara had bowled out his best bowler, Dale Steyn, leaving the final honours to Christian. The first ball was smashed by James Franklin wide of long-off for four. With five needed off two, the penultimate ball was forced to long-off and Rohit Sharma timed his dive just in time to survive a run-out appeal. Christian couldn't come up with anything special, gifting Rohit Sharma with the most hittable delivery of the over, breaking many hearts of the home fans who went home disappointed for the second time in as many games.
Fortunes kept oscillating in the final overs, but for most periods in the chase, the Chargers were in control. Much of the credit should go to Dale Steyn, who ran in with the same vigour as he does for South Africa. He defeated the best hitters in the Mumbai line-up with raw pace and fizzy bounce, nipping out three wickets for just 12 runs. He took 2 for 6 in his first spell, conceded just two off his next over and only five off his final over. In hindsight, Sangakkara will feel he should have kept him for the final over.
Earlier, a four-wicket haul by Munaf Patel restricted Deccan Chargers to a below-par 138 for 9, giving Mumbai Indians the chance to record their second win.
Munaf nipped out two early wickets, putting pressure on Daniel Christian and the captain Kumar Sangakkara who is himself short of runs.
Shikhar Dhawan eased those nerves, albeit briefly, with towering hits over the on side, smashing four sixes in the region of deep midwicket and square leg. However, Dhawan failed to read a slower one from Lasith Malinga in the following over and got a leading edge that swirled to Kieron Pollard at point.
BRIEF SCORES
DECCAN CHARGERS: 138 for 9 (S Dhawan 41, D Christian 39, C White 30 not out; M Patel 4-20, S Malinga 3/27, K Pollard 2-33)
MUMBAI INDIANS: 142 for 5 (R Sharma 73 not out, K Pollard 24; D Steyn 3-12)
Result: Mumbai Indians won by 5 wickets
Man of the Match: Rohit Sharma
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