Super Kings tames Mumbai Indians

CHENNAI: Defending a moderate total with a tigerish resolve, Chennai Super Kings ambushed Mumbai Indians by 24 runs on a sluggish pitch at Chepauk here on Tuesday night.

Opting to bat, Super Kings scored 165 for four. The home bowlers then took centrestage to restrict Mumbai Indians to 141 for nine.

The resurgent Super Kings now has 10 points from 10 games in the DLF-IPL III while Mumbai Indians has 14 from nine.

The host spinners varied their pace and trajectory and controlled the extent of turn with clever use of the crease. Off-spinner R. Ashwin and left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati impressed. Gradually all escape routes were cut off for the Mumbai Indians.

Desperate measures

The ball was not coming on to the bat off the surface and stroke-making was difficult. As the pressure mounted, the Mumbai Indian batsmen, including the big-hitting Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, resorted to desperate measures. The Super Kings fielders held on to catches in the deep.

In the initial part of Mumbai Indians' reply, Sachin Tendulkar thrilled the senses. Tendulkar's balance and timing were evident when he cover-drove Sudip Tyagi and whipped left-armer Doug Bollinger. However, the maestro, when on 38, had to retire hurt with dehydration.