Mumbai rises in IPL, Win their 1st Match ~ IPL 2009 News & Updates | IPL 2009 Videos Highlights, match dates and timings
IPL 2009 News & Updates | IPL 2009 Videos Highlights, match dates and timings: Mumbai rises in IPL, Win their 1st Match
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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Mumbai rises in IPL, Win their 1st Match

After tasting defeat in Bangalore, Chennai, and Mumbai, the jinx was finally broken for the Mumbai Indians in the City of Joy, as they defeated home team Kolkata Knight Riders by 7 wickets.

The Knight Riders won the toss and chose to bat first but their famed batting line-up failed to show any resistance against some fine bowling by a determined Mumbai team.

Mumbai's veterans Sanath Jayasuriya and Shaun Pollock stole the limelight, wrecking both the top and the middle order of the Kolkata Knight Riders, and restricting them to a modest 137 for 8. The crafty Jayasuriya displayed variation in his bowling and stuck to a tight line to finish with dream figures of 4-1-14-3.

On a sporting pitch which was a far cry from the two-paced dry wicket that had been universally condemned nine days back, skipper Shaun Pollock struck in the first over itself. Riders lost captain Saurav Ganguly being caught by Jayasuriya off Pollock. Another blow followed within two balls. This time, Mc Cullum was out lbw.

By the 13th over, Riders had already lost six of their batsmen. Jayasuriya was all over the place. First, he ran out Ricky Ponting and then had Mohd. Hafeez caught behind. The Lankan all-rounder all dismissed Ajit Agarkar and Ashish Nehra.

For the Riders, Laxmi Ratan Shukla (40 not out; 4x4, 2x6) emerged as the top scorer, with a late assault. His cameo helped Kolkata reach a score of 138 runs.

The Indians started on a good note but it wasn't to last. A. Rahane was caught by Hussey off Agarkar's bowling and then Ishant sharma clean bowled the flamboyant Jayasuriya. The pacers continued the damage when new bowler Ashok Dinda bowled Manish Pandey for a duck on the first ball of the fifth over, leaving Mumbai Indians tottering at 25 for 3. However, West Indian Dwayne Bravo and Robin Uthappa came together to repair the innings.

The duo steadied the boat for the team, displaying calm and only hitting the bad balls across the rope. Bravo, the more active of the partners, completed his half century in 42 balls and along with Uthappa (37 not out) steered the team to a well-deserved victory.

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