Mumbai doomed to fourth straight defeat

Cricket365
April 21, 2015

The Mumbai Indians posted a target of nearly 200 runs on Friday but were still unable to record a win, as the Chennai Super Kings chased down the 184 required with six wickets in hand and 20 balls to spare.

Mumbai are now four defeats in four, a stark turn-around from their 2013 title charge, as their top batting order and opening bowlers really let Ricky Ponting's side down. CSK's opening stand of 109 ensured a winning platform.

Mumbai won the toss and opted to bat, but their top three were all out for single figures. Parthiv Patel recorded a duck, while Lendl Simmons and Corey Anderson added just nine runs between them, Ashish Nehra bagging two wickets.

Rohit Sharma, who came in at four, tried to up the pace and bagged 50 off 31 balls, while Harbhajan Singh made 24 and Ambhati Rayudu 29. It was Kieron Pollard who ensured a decent total though, smashing 64 off 30 balls.

Pollard's knock had the opposite effect though, as it showed how good the batting deck was, and Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith took full advantage. With a paddle scoop for six here and a pull over the ropes there, McCullum made 46 off 20 balls.

Bhajji took both openers out in one over though, as Smith fell for 62 off 30 balls. But given CSK's formidable line-up, Suresh Raina had plenty of help. Faf du Plessis added 11, while MS Dhoni was out for three.

But Raina was helped by Dwayne Bravo, who made 13 not out off five balls, including the six to win it. The India batsman was the clincher though, whacking 43 not out off 29 balls, including two sixes.