Harbhajan Singh blames Pune wicket for low-scoring contest – Cricket News Update
The Mumbai Indians' captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, on Thursday, May 3, 2012.
The batsmen of both the sides struggled to score runs in the 45th match of the ongoing season five of Indian Premier League, which witnessed Harbhajan Singh’s Mumbai Indians locking horns with Sourav Ganguly’s Warriors, at the latter’s backyard
on Thursday night.
After opting to bat first, the Mumbai Indians could amass only 120 for 9 in their allotted quota of 20 overs. None of the visiting batsmen, except for openers, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Tendulkar-c2556 (34 off 35) could make a big score.
While chasing the modest 120-run total, the Pune Warriors also struggled to score runs, as the Mumbai bowlers kept striking at regular intervals. Only http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mithun-Manhas-c76414 showed some resilience against the Lasith Malinga-led Mumbai attack returning unbeaten after
a 34-ball 42, while rest of the line up succumbed for scores less than 20.
Defending his side’s below par 120-run total, the turbanator said that the Subrata http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Symonds-c44611 pitch was low and slow, making it difficult to play strokes.
"It wasn't a good Twenty20 wicket where batsmen could score runs at their [usual] pace,” said Harbhajan at the post-match press conference. “There was hardly any bounce for fast bowlers and it was difficult [for batsmen] to rotate strike. I think the wicket
played a big role in this game," he added further.
The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mumbai-c820 skipper described Michael Clarke and Sourav Ganguly’s dismissals as the turning points of the game.
"From the bowler's perspective, I think getting http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 and later on Sourav Ganguly's wicket was the turning point for us," said Bhajji after the match.
With 12 points in 10 games, Mumbai Indians find themselves third on the standings, behind http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Delhi-c780 Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders. Harbhajan and men will next play Chennai Super Kings at home ground, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday, May 6, 2012.
On the other hand, Warriors, after getting off to an impressive start, stand at the bottom of the points table just above lacklustre Deccan Chargers. They will next play Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday, hoping to break their four-match losing streak.
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