God Steers Mumbai to Top

Posted by Rajnikant in IPL on 03 26th, 2010 | one response

MI-csk win Sachin does it again and Mumbai register their 4^thwin from 5 games in IPL-2010. Their win against Chennai was yet another morale-crushing defeat for men-in yellow. Chennai was determined to win a game andwas raring to go with Dhoni’s return. But even MSD can not stop Sachin who is in great shape and is looking dangerous day by day.

With Sachin on crease 181 runs never looked a big total to chase. And last night Sachin found an able partner in Dhawan. They did not weighed down by the asking rate of nine an over and always stayed ahead of asking rate by amassing 63 runs in first 6 overswhich set a tone for yet another brilliant run chase this season. Left-hander Dhawan dominated the thundering start. He scored 56 of 34 balls which includes 5 fours and 3 sixes.

MI-csk Sachin on the other endwas finding gaps regularly with odd boundary in between. He also hit his first six of the IPL-3 to Murali. In 13^thover he rushed down the track and stuck it from outside off over long-on boundary for a six. It was a treat to watch. Mumbai always kept asking rate in check. Initially Sachinwas playing second fiddle to Dhawan and then to Pollard who hit 20 from 9 balls and placed Mumbai in comfortable position. Sachin’s 72 of 52 balls is his third fifty in five games. He is now in race for orange capbehind Kallis.

Earlier, when Tendulkar asked Chennai to take first strike it looked they will make most of it when. Hayden smashed Zaheer for four boundaries in the second over. But a change of bat from the conventional one to mini mongoose when Harbhajan was introduced in the fourth over turned out to be unlucky as Hayden was trapped leg-before. A quicker one from Bhajji grabbed a big fish and Chennai was in danger when Parthiv Patel departed soon.

Suresh Raina – relieved from captaincy responsibility, played brilliantly for his 83 from 52 balls and ensured his team sets a competitive total on board. He was well supported by Badrinath (55) as they raised 142 for the unbroken third wicket – 2nd highest partnership in IPL.

However, Tendulkar and Dhawan’s batting performance overshadowed Raina and Badrinath’s effort. Not only that, MI was good on field too. Harbhajan and Mclaren bowled tight spells, which was supported by thoughfull bowling rotation. Use of Malinga in death overs was fruitful. There is still a long way to go in tournament but Mumbai looks set for place in semifinal. So watch out for Sachin and company.

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