Mumbai Indians reclaimed the top spot in the points table after thumping a hapless Pune Warriors by 21 runs in their Indian Premier League clash at Dr D Y Patil Sports Academy here today.
Mumbai Indians posted a challenging 160 for seven after being invited to bat as T Suman blazed his way to a 16-ball 36 and Pollard played a useful 29-run cameo towards the end to help the side recover from a sluggish start.
Backed by some disciplined bowling and inspiring fielding, Mumbai then restricted the Warriors to 139 for seven to record their seventh win in nine matches.
The Warriors slumped to seventh defeat in a row and they need a miracle of sorts to make the play-offs. Their last win had come on April 13 at this ground when they had defeated Kochi Tuskers Kerala by four wickets.
Image: Mumbai Indians' Lasith Malinga, left and Kieron Pollard celebrate the wicket of Pune Warriors Yuvraj Singh during the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, May 4, 2011.
Lasith Malinga (3/25) was the most successful bowler for Mumbai while Harbhajan Singh (1/17), Munaf Patel (1/30) and Kieron Pollard (1/36) all took one wicket apeice.
Warriors were never in the chase after losing Jesse Ryder off the very first ball of the innings from Harbhajan Singh, though Manish Pandey (59) fought a losing battle from one end.
Pandey, who knock came off 47 balls, and Robin Uthappa (34 unbeaten off 26) were the only batsmen who resisted the formidable Mumbai attack but their effort could only reduce the defeat margin.
Pune skipper Yuvraj Singh (20) sizzled for a while, hitting two sixes and a four during his short stay at the crease, but was undone by a brilliant bouncer by Malinga and an equally good catch by Munaf in the third-man region.
Image: Pune Warriors Manish Pandey bats during the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match against Mumbai Indians in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, May 4, 2011.
Earlier, Mumbai had managed just 65 runs for two wickets after 10 overs but found an unlikely hero in Suman, who hit three sixes and as many fours to lead the fightback.
Pollard played a useful cameo (29 off 21), with two fours and as many sixes to help Mumbai go past the 150-run mark.
Pune bowlers had done an exceptional job early on and leg-spinner Rahul Sharma returend incredible figures of 4-0-7-2 but the good work was undone when Suman and Pollard had their way.
Yuvraj accounted for Mumbai's most productive duo of skipper Sachin Tendulkar (24) and Ambati Rayudu (27).
Image: Pune Warriors Yuvraj Singh, left, celebrates with teammates the wicket of Mumbai Indians batsman Sachin Tendulkar during the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, May 4, 2011.
As in earlier games, the opening partnership did not yield too many runs for Mumbai as the new partner for skipper Tendulkar, Australian youngster Aiden Blizzard (6) perished in the third over to leave them at 18 for one.
The left-handed batsman was caught by a diving stumper Robin Uthappa in front of the slip fielder. But Tendulkar was in very good touch as he drove and clipped Alfonso Thomas and Shrikant Wagh for three fours in the first two overs.
Once again it was left to the Tendulkar and Rayudu to forge a meaningful stand.
Rayudu hooked West Indies pacer Jerome Taylor and then glided the bowler over the head of wicket keeper for successive fours to step up the run rate.
Tendulkar then glanced and top-edged left-arm Wagh for successive fours to help Mumbai finish the power-play with 49 on board.
Image: Mumbai Indians Sachin Tendulkar bats during the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match against Pune Warriors in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, May 4, 2011.
Mumbai Indians posted a challenging 160 for seven after being invited to bat as T Suman blazed his way to a 16-ball 36 and Pollard played a useful 29-run cameo towards the end to help the side recover from a sluggish start.
Backed by some disciplined bowling and inspiring fielding, Mumbai then restricted the Warriors to 139 for seven to record their seventh win in nine matches.
The Warriors slumped to seventh defeat in a row and they need a miracle of sorts to make the play-offs. Their last win had come on April 13 at this ground when they had defeated Kochi Tuskers Kerala by four wickets.
Image: Mumbai Indians' Lasith Malinga, left and Kieron Pollard celebrate the wicket of Pune Warriors Yuvraj Singh during the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, May 4, 2011.
Warriors were never in the chase after losing Jesse Ryder off the very first ball of the innings from Harbhajan Singh, though Manish Pandey (59) fought a losing battle from one end.
Pandey, who knock came off 47 balls, and Robin Uthappa (34 unbeaten off 26) were the only batsmen who resisted the formidable Mumbai attack but their effort could only reduce the defeat margin.
Pune skipper Yuvraj Singh (20) sizzled for a while, hitting two sixes and a four during his short stay at the crease, but was undone by a brilliant bouncer by Malinga and an equally good catch by Munaf in the third-man region.
Image: Pune Warriors Manish Pandey bats during the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match against Mumbai Indians in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, May 4, 2011.
Earlier, Mumbai had managed just 65 runs for two wickets after 10 overs but found an unlikely hero in Suman, who hit three sixes and as many fours to lead the fightback.
Pollard played a useful cameo (29 off 21), with two fours and as many sixes to help Mumbai go past the 150-run mark.
Pune bowlers had done an exceptional job early on and leg-spinner Rahul Sharma returend incredible figures of 4-0-7-2 but the good work was undone when Suman and Pollard had their way.
Yuvraj accounted for Mumbai's most productive duo of skipper Sachin Tendulkar (24) and Ambati Rayudu (27).
Image: Pune Warriors Yuvraj Singh, left, celebrates with teammates the wicket of Mumbai Indians batsman Sachin Tendulkar during the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, May 4, 2011.
As in earlier games, the opening partnership did not yield too many runs for Mumbai as the new partner for skipper Tendulkar, Australian youngster Aiden Blizzard (6) perished in the third over to leave them at 18 for one.
The left-handed batsman was caught by a diving stumper Robin Uthappa in front of the slip fielder. But Tendulkar was in very good touch as he drove and clipped Alfonso Thomas and Shrikant Wagh for three fours in the first two overs.
Once again it was left to the Tendulkar and Rayudu to forge a meaningful stand.
Rayudu hooked West Indies pacer Jerome Taylor and then glided the bowler over the head of wicket keeper for successive fours to step up the run rate.
Tendulkar then glanced and top-edged left-arm Wagh for successive fours to help Mumbai finish the power-play with 49 on board.
Image: Mumbai Indians Sachin Tendulkar bats during the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match against Pune Warriors in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, May 4, 2011.
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