Thaindian News

Mumbai, April 22 (IANS) Rohit Sharma struck a blistering 87 and Harbhajan Singh picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to give Mumbai Indians an eight-run win over defending champions Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium here Friday.

Harbhajan’s best bowling figures of five for 18 and Lasith Malinga’s two for 20 restricted Super Kings to 156 for nine in 20 overs, in reply to the hosts 164 for four. Harbhajan was also adjudged Man of the Match.

Super Kings failed to get a good partnership and barring Subramaniam Badrinath (71 not put), Mike Hussey (41) and Murali Vijay (12), none of the batsmen could get to double figures while extras added 10.

The only notable partnership in the Super Kings’ innings was the 60-run third-wicket stand between Badrinath and Hussey. But once Malinga struck to get rid of Hussey, caught by Kieron Pollard, it triggered a collapse and the visitors lost seven wickets for 42 runs.

Badrinath waged a lonely battle till the end, hitting seven fours and two sixes during his 48-ball stay.

Earlier in the evening, Sharma’s blazing innings of 87 helped Mumbai Indians recover from a poor start to post a challenging total.

Sharma added half-century stands with Ambati Rayudu (27) and Andrew Symonds (31 not out) to help Mumbai Indians recover from 13 for two.

Sharma was finally out in the last over, holing out to long-on fielder Michael Hussey off Doug Bollinger. He hit five sixes and eight fours in the 48 balls he faced.