The 5th edition of the IPL, which got off to a tepid start, lastly had a nail-biter as Rohit Sharma hit the last ball the match for 6 to seal a cinematic end for Mumbai Indians against Deccan Chargers, who fought t and nail while defensive 139. Daniel Christian, not wisest choice for the last over, as very new history tells us, dished out 2 full tosses to Rohit Sharma; include the last ball which was smack over long-on with 3 needed.
A 4-wicket haul by Munaf Patel controlled Deccan Chargers to a below-par 138 for 9, giving Mumbai Indians the chance to record their 2nd win.
In the previous match at the venue, the Deccan Chargers were chasing 194. Today, they had 1st use of the pitch, but in their quest to match that score, lost early on wickets. The Chargers held back their overseas batsmen to the center order, which seem like an unforeseen event measure in case the top order failed. Munaf nipped out 2 early wickets, putting pressure on Daniel Christian and the captain Kumar Sangakkara who is himself short of runs.
Shikhar Dhawan ease those nerves, albeit briefly, with towering hits over the one side, smashing 4 sixes in the region of deep midwicket and square leg. Pragyan Ojha leaked 18 off his 1st over thanks to Dhawan's attack. However, Dhawan failed to read a slower one from Lasith Malinga in the next over and got a leading edge that swirl to Kieron Pollard at point. The Chargers' coach Darren Lehmann was seen reassuring Dhawan at the dug-out, seeming to suggest that the well-set batsman should have looked to bat from side to side the innings.
Sangakkara dismissal, however, came about next ugly scenes of the Mumbai players getting challenging with the umpires. Munaf patel bowled a low full toss which Sangakkara shaped to drive, but got inside edge which shaved stump and knocked off the bails. The wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik was standing up close and the ball deflect back to the stumps his pads, causing confusion as to whether he was legally bowled in the 1st place. The umpires at first gave Sangakkara the benefit of the doubt; choose not to refer it to the third umpire. The Mumbai players were peeved, particularly Munaf, who fling the ball on the turf as he ambled back to his mark.
An angry Harbhajan marched to the square leg umpire Johan Cloete, who was soon envelop by Munaf and Karthik, foremost to ugly scenes which put the MCC Spirit of Cricket pledge at the starting rite to distant memory. A clueless Sangakkara went across to have a word with the umpires but by then, it was as if the umpires be coerced into referring it. In theory, Sangakkara was legitimately out and the umpires must have had the presence of mind to check with. Mumbai's road-rage, though, left a shocking taste in the mouth and it make one speculate how different it could have been had Tendulkar, Mumbai's original captain, been in charge.
Cameron White and Christian additional a fast 41 for the 5th wicket, smashing 4 sixes in their stand to boost the Chargers. White looked particularly dangerous, by the crease and smashing the ball with raw authority. However, a try by Christian to clear the rope led to his dismissal, and Mumbai tighten the noose. Malinga and Pollard ran through the lower order to restrict the Chargers to an underwhelming total.
Deccan Chargers-138 for 9 Wickets
Mumbai Indians-142 for 5 Wickets
Player of the match RG Sharma (Mumbai Indians)
Today Match
RCB v KKR (16:00 local | 10:30 GMT)
Daredevils v Super Kings (20:00 local | 14:30 GMT)
