Mumbai Indians v Pune Warriors – Match Recap
Mumbai handed their Mahrastaran neighbours, Pune, their 7th consecutive defeat in the Indian Premier League at the DY Patil Stadium in the Indian Premier League match on May 4, 2011.
Consolation for Pune came in the form of Rahul Sharma being adjudged as the player of the match for his bowling figures of 2 for 7.
Pune Warriors, after winning the toss elected to challenge the batting-giants, Mumbai, by proposing to field first. Mumbai once again demonstrated their batting might by scoring a formidable total of 160 runs with the loss of seven wickets in their allotted quota of 20 over’s.
T Suman and Kieron Pollard crafted this fighting total for their franchise. Suman scored 36 off 16 while Pollard chipped in with 28 runs off 21 balls.
Pune Warrior’s skipper, Yuvraj Singh, led the bowling attack by claiming the crucial wickets of Sachin Tendulkar and Ambati Rayadu, initially crumbling Mumbai’s hope of engineering a mammoth total.
The highlight of the Pune bowling attack was young spinner Rahul Sharma with the most economical spell of the innings. Torrid bowling from Pune reduced Mumbai to 114/5 after 17 over’s.
However, Suman and Pollard came to Mumbai’s rescue and successfully posted a competitive total on board. Suman’s promotion in the batting order proved fruitful for Mumbai. This was his first proper chance to prove his abilities against the likes of Yuvraj and Sharma.
Suman entertained the crowd with a couple of massive sixes to his name that helped him pile up some quick runs. Suman set the innings on fire with 19 off just 7 deliveries.
Pollard struck the final blow and Mumbai Indians ended up at a decent total of 160 runs.
Pune got off to a hopeless start as Jesse Ryder departed on a duck. A lot was expected was from the Kiwi but he failed to live up to his reputation.
Graeme Smith was the next man in but could not provide the required stand. He walked back after scoring just six runs.
Manish Pandey showcased an impressive knock with 59 off 47 balls, aided by 4 boundaries and 3 sixes.
Required rate for Pune was mounting sky high after the first ten overs, break-neck Malinga made full use of Pune's situation and claimed 3 wickets for 25 runs at economy rate of 6.25.
The night ended in agony for Yuvraj and his men as Pune fell short of 21 runs, finishing at 139/7 runs in their allotted quota of 20 overs. Worries for Yuvraj and his franchise mount after losing seven encounters on the trot.
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