Mumbai Grind Out Win

  V   Full scorecard

 

A Dwayne Bravo half century gave Mumbai Indians their first win in the IPL against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.

It was a great bowling performance from Mumbai to help set up the win, with Sanath Jayasuriya, 14-3 from 4 overs and Shaun Pollock, 27-2 from his 4 overs notably. Kolkata could only total 137-8 from their 20 overs.

In reply, Mumbai batted much better and only lost 3 wickets in reaching the 138 needed for their first IPL win. Robin Uthappa scoring 37 and Bravo hitting a fine 64 from 53 balls giving Mumbai the win.

Before the IPL began I tipped Mumbai to do well, so I am a little shocked at how poor they have started. However with this win, maybe they have turned the corner.

Hodge Joins Kolkata

Australian batsman Brad Hodge has joined the Indian Premier League for the Kolkata Knight Riders. The move means Hodge, 33, will miss the next five weeks of Lancashire’s county season.

Hodge is the highest scorer in Twenty20 cricket with 1649 runs so will be a good asset for the already strong Kolkata outfit who lie third in the IPL. However Kolkata will lose Brendon McCullum to New Zealand’s forthcoming tour of England.

Do you think Hodge will be a success in the IPL?

Gilchrist Century Destroy’s Mumbai

V Full Scorecard

A breathtaking century from Adam Gilchrist gave the Deccan Chargers their maiden IPL victory as they crushed Mumbai Indians at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai.

Gilchrist’s unbeaten century came from just 48 balls and included 10 sixes as the Chargers won the game after reaching the target of 155 set by Mumbai in just 12.4 overs without losing a wicket.

Good bowling performances from the Chargers restricted Mumbai to 154-7 from their 20 overs. Notably R.P Singh, who finished with figures of 2-15 from his 4 overs. Despite lower order 30’s from Nayar, Pollock and Dwayne Bravo, Mumbai were well short of posting a good target on a pitch that suited the batsmen.

When it was Hyderabads turn to bat the Mumbai bowlers were tired from playing their third game in five days and never really threatened the Deccan batsmen as Gilchrist and VVS Laxman (36) stormed to victory by ten wickets. Pollock the captain made seven bowling changes in the first ten overs but Gilchrist was in the sort of mood that saw him score that super fast century against England in 2006. The mans still got it!

Final result: Deccan Chargers beat the Mumbai Indians by 10 wickets.

Watch Gilchrist’s Innings:

Symonds Century Not Enough For Hyderabad

V Full scorecard

Shane Warne’s Rajasthan Royals overcame the Deccan Chargers by 3 wickets despite a blazing century from Andrew Symonds at the Rajiv Ghandi Stadium in Hyderabad.

Symonds scored 117 from just 53 balls including 11 boundaries and 7 sixes. Hyderabad started poorly with Gilchrist, Laxman and Afridi falling cheaply to Yusuf Pathan and Warne but Symonds more than made up for the poor start, partnering Rohit Sharma (36) for 111 runs to guide the Chargers to a final score of 214-5 from 20 overs.

Rajasthan started much better than Hyderabad and that was helped when Laxman used rookie bowler Pragyan Ojha in the six over. An over which conceded 16 runs. Despite losing Kamran Akmal for 12, Rajasthan were motoring along with Graeme Smith (71) and Yusuf Pathan (61) joining for a 98 run partnership. The Royals went past 100 after just 8.3 overs. When those two were out though, it was Warne’s turn for heroics. In a final over, Rajasthan needed 17 runs and Warne scored two sixes against his former Australian team mate to spark wild celebrations.

Final result: Rajasthan Royals beat Deccan Chargers by 3 wickets.

Chennai Edge Out Mumbai

  V   Full Scorecard

 Mumbai Indians finished just six runs short of winning their first IPL game in a close encounter against Chennai Superkings at the Chidambaram Stadium at Chepak in Chennai.

Matthew Hayden’s mature 81 from 102 balls and a half century from Suresh Raina allowed Chennai to post a competitive total of 208-5 from their 20 overs. Hayden again being a thorn for Harbahjan Singh who captained Mumbai in Tendulkar’s absence. Both Hayden and Raina put on 104 from around 10 overs.

In reply Mumbai finished just six runs short on 202-7 from their 20 overs with Robin Uthappa again getting in the runs with his 43 from 38 balls. With Abhishek Nayar also scoring 45 not out, Mumbai came agonisingly close but a classy final over bowled by Joginder Sharma who took 2 wickets in the match prevented Mumbai reaching the target.

Final result: Chennai Superkings beat Mubai Indians by 6 runs.

Watch the wickets fall: