Thaindian News

Mumbai, April 30 (IANS) Mumbai Indians struggled to beat Deccan Chargers by five wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Wankhede Stadium here Sunday.

Mumbai Indians achieved the target of 101 losing with 11 balls to spare after Rohit Sharma top scored with 42.

The win spiralled Mumbai Indians to the top of the table at the third spot with 10 points from nine matches while Deccan Chargers, who suffered their sixth loss of the season, remained at the bottom of the table with just three points from eight matches.

Asked to bat first, Deccan Chargers struggled to face Sri Lankan speed merchant Lasith Malinga, who was the pick of the Mumbai Indians bowlers bagging four for 16, and were bowled out for 100 in 18.4 overs.

Mumbai Indians skipper Harbhajan Singh also ended his poor run with the ball bagging two for 13 from his four overs while New Zealand all-rounder James also picked up two for 18.

Deccan Chargers found run scoring difficult on the Wankhede track and it were the openers Shikhar Dhawan (29), Parthiv Patel (19) and Jean Paul Duminy (25 not out) who were the only three batsmen who could get to double figures.

Deccan Chargers tried to make a match out of the paltry score with South African pace spearhead Dale Steyn (2-10) striking in the very first ball to get rid of his compatriot Richard Levi. Steyn was also adjudged as Man of the Match.

Sachin Tendulkar failed to fire as he scored run-a-ball 14 before edging to Dan Christian at first slip of pacer Veer Pratap Singh. Rohit, however, kept Mumbai Indians on track with his 48-ball measured innings. Ambati Rayudu remained unbeaten on 19 to take the team home safely.