Thaindian News

Hyderabad, April 24 (IANS) Mumbai Indians put up a commanding performance to trounce hosts Deccan Chargers by 37 runs to record their third straight victory in the Indian Premier League here Sunday.

Rohit Sharma (56) and Andrew Symonds (44) shared a 102-run stand for the fifth wicket, guiding the Mumbai Indians to a formidable 172 for four at the packed Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The Chargers never got in front in the chase and finished with 135 for eight in 20 overs. Lasith Malinga (3-13) produced yet another sterling performance and heads the list of tournament’s leading bowler, way ahead of the field with 16 wickets from six matches. Charger’s Amit Mishra with eight wickets is a distant second in the list.

With the convincing win, Mumbai Indians remained at the top of the points table and Tendulkar (269 runs in six games) with his 28-run cameo was able to get the Orange Cap back from revelation Paul Valthathy (261 in five) of Kings XI Punjab. It was also Tendulkar’s 38th birthday but he did not celebrate as he was mourning the death of Sathya Sai Baba.

Mumbai Indians were again brilliant on the field and effected three run outs. After Deccan Chargers catain Kumar Sangakkara was castled by compatriot Malinga in the 14th over, the chance of a recovery looked bleak for the home team. From there on, making 80 runs off 39 balls was always going to be a tough ask and when big hitter Daniel Christian (21) was brilliantly stumped by davy Jacobs off Munaf Patel in the next over, the team’s fourth loss in six games seemed inevitable.

Earlier, Sharma and Symonds took off from where they left in the last match against Chennai Super Kings and played a major role in yet another solid batting display from thr Mumbai Indians.

Tendulkar (28) and Jacobs (32) provided a brisk start but their dismissal led to another two quick wickets with the score being 70/4 in 9.1 overs. But that was when the destructive due of Symonds and Sharma came together and made sure the team gets to a strong total.

Sharma looked at ease smashing five fours and sending two deliveries over the ropes in his 34-ball innings.

The Australian, on the other hand, showed sparks of his old aggression as he blasted the Chargers bowling attack to all over the park. His 33-ball knock saw four boundaries and a six.

The duo’s century stand came after their 87-run partnership in the last match.

Sharma struck three sixes off Christian in the last over that fetched 24 runs.