Indians spoil Daredevils’ party

Mumbai Indians registered a comprehensive victory over the Delhi Daredevils to move to the top of the league standings.

Daredevils won the toss and elected to bowl first on an absolute belter. The decision turned out to be the wrong one as the Indians got off to a flier, adding 67 runs in the Quick start overs despite losing the dangerous Sanath Jayasuriya cheaply. Sachin Tendulkar looked in sublime touch and helped them past the 110 run mark at the halfway stage in the innings. Saurabh Tiwary continued to dominate the bowling after Tendulkar’s dismissal, adding 71 runs off just 41 balls with Ambati Rayudu for the fourth wicket. Tiwary finished with 61 runs off 37 balls and Mumbai went into the break well on top (refer to Castrol Index worm above) with 218 on the board.

Delhi missed Gautam Gambhir at the top of the order after he picked up a hamstring injury in the field. Tillakaratne Dilshan and Virender Sehwag got them off to a flying start but things started to fall apart after Dilshan’s dismissal in the fourth over. They were 56 for one at the end of the Power Play but they suffered a huge setback with Sehwag and AB de Villiers getting out in the same over. The hosts could never recover from that point as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals in an effort to keep up with the high required rate.  The Indians restricted them to 120 for nine in just 16.3 overs to complete a more than convincing victory.

Sachin Tendulkar was adjudged Man of the Match for his 63 runs off just 32 balls which he achieved with a Batting Momentum of 124.