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Thrilling win for Challengers

Nandakumar Marar

Uthappa, Jayasuriya shore up Mumbai Indians

— Photo: Vivek Bendre

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Mark Boucher is greeted by teammates after taking Royal Challengers Bangalore to victory against Mumbai Indians in Mumbai on Sunday.

MUMBAI: Royal Challengers Bangalore, subdued but firmly in control, pulled off a thrilling five-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in its first away match of the DLF Indian Premier League here on Sunday.

Chasing a modest 165 at the Wankhede stadium, the visitors, led by Rahul Dravid, achieved their target in 19.4 overs, losing five wickets in the face of clever bowling by Harbhajan Singh and tight fielding by the home side. Shaun Pollock, too, bowled a tight spell and conceded just 17 runs in his four-over spell.

Mumbai all-rounder Abhishek Nayar brought off three catches in the deep under the lights, but ended on the losing side.

Setting the tone

Dravid’s 37-run stand in 30 balls with Shivnarine Chanderpaul set the tone for the run chase. The Royal Challengers skipper was deceived by his counterpart Harbhajan, mistiming a slower one for the off-spinner to complete a diving catch.

Ross Taylor (23, 12b) had earlier lashed two sixes off the Mumbai Indians’ captain. Jacques Kallis (25, 24b, 1x6), Mark Boucher (39 not out, 19b, 4x4, 2x6) and Virat Kohli (23, 14b, 3x4, 1x6) chipped in with timely knocks to ensure that the target was always within reach.

Earlier in the evening, Robin Uthappa’s controlled hitting (48 off 38 balls with five fours and a six) and a rapid-fire 29 from 16 balls by Sanath Jayasuriya helped steady the Mumbai Indians’ ship in the face of a disciplined Royal Challengers attack. Zaheer Khan (4-0-17-2) and B. Akhil (3-0-17-2) were outstanding for the visiting side.

Tendulkar opts out

Tendulkar’s decision to sit out, due to a recurring groin injury, forced the team’s think-tank to push youngster Luke Ronchi into the opener’s slot when captain Harbhajan opted to bat.

The Australian went on the offensive against Praveen Kumar, hitting through the line over point, then slashing in the same region before a reflex catch by Virat Kohli at point cut short his stay at the crease.

Dominic Thornley retired hurt, missing the line of a rising Praveen delivery which sneaked through the helmet visor on to his face, bringing Uthappa to the crease at 20 for one in the fourth over. The former needed stitches to close the gash above his right eye.

Jayasuriya took charge as Jacques Kallis came on, clearing the field with front-foot drives and a six over long-on to pick up 19 runs in the South African’s first over.

Zaheer stunned the Wankhede crowd into silence by running out the Lankan.

Engrossing phase

The match entered an engrossing phase with Mumbai Indians at 74 for two off 10 overs and looking for quick runs from Uthappa.

He struggled to get the Karnataka bowlers Vinay Kumar and Akhil off the square as Dravid turned to home-grown talent to keep him in check at the halfway mark.

Uthappa survived a stumping chance off Sunil Joshi before getting out while giving Akhil the charge. Mark Boucher pulled off an awkward stumping this time.

Abhishek Nayar (20 off 14 balls) and Shaun Pollock (28 off 12) engaged in some big hits as the overs ran out.

The scores:

Mumbai Indians: L. Ronchi c Kohli b Zaheer 8, S. Jayasuriya (run out) (Zaheer) 29, D. Thornley (retd. hurt) 0, P. Shah c Kohli b Akhil 19, R. Uthappa st. Boucher b Akhil 48, A. Nayar c Zaheer b Praveen 20, S. Pollock b Zaheer 28, Harbhajan (not out) 2; Extras (b-2, lb-6, w-3): 11; Total (for six wkts. in 20 overs): 165.

Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-46, 3-97, 4-125, 5-152.

Royal Challengers bowling: Praveen 4-0-29-1, Zaheer 4-0-17-2, Kallis 3-0-43-0, Vinay 4-0-41-0, Akhil 3-0-17-2, Joshi 2-0-10-0.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: S. Chanderpaul c Nayar b Kulkarni 16, R. Dravid c & b Harbhajan 32, R. Taylor c Nayar b Jayasuriya 23, J. Kallis c Nayar b Harbhajan 25, V. Kohli c Ronchi b Nehra 23, M. Boucher (not out) 39, B. Akhil (not out) 3; Extras (w-5): 5; Total (for five wkts in 19.4 overs): 166.

Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-68, 3-76, 4-106, 5-161.

Mumbai Indians bowling: Nehra 4-0-45-1; Pollock 4-0-17-0; Kulkarni 2.4-0-19-1; Jayasuriya 4-0-39-1; Harbhajan 4-0-36-2; Nayar 1-0-10-0.

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