April 25 2013: Mumbai Indians almost made a mess of the run-chase, but scampered to a five-wicket win against Kolkata Knight Riders today. The win was Mumbai's fourth in seven games while Kolkata, the defending champions, slumped to their fifth defeat in seven matches.
After Kolkata posted a competitive 159 for 6 upon choosing to bat, Mumbai replied with 162 for 5, Ambati Rayudu bringing up the winning boundary with a ball to spare.
It wasn't a good start for both Mumbai and the spectators as birthday boy Sachin Tendulkar departed without making an impression. Dwayne Smith gave the innings a much needed push and scored a 45-ball 62. Skipper Rohit Sharma, as Ponting made way for Mitchell Johnson, played a watchful knock but couldn't see his side through either.
What looked to be an easy chase had its share of drama as the equation was swaying in Kolkata's favour before Harbhajan Singh launched a maximum to reduce it to 3 from 3, which the visitors achieved with one ball to spare.
Sunil Narine's mystery continued as the spinner scalped three to take the purple cap. It wasn't a bad day for Kolkata, but they certainly need some fine tuning in some areas.
Earlier, after electing to bat, Kolkata innings started with some serious fireworks as struggling Yusuf Pathan went berserk. It was only a 6-ball stay, but Pathan looked at attacking best.
It was not skipper Gautam Gambhir's day either as the left-hander couldn't continue with his good run in the tournament, and fell without making a substantial contribution.
What followed next would have pleased Kolkata, but inability of even one player, after almost everyone got off to starts, to bat through the innings would have disappointed Gambhir and Co.
Mumbai got their act right with the ball, and picked wickets at regular intervals. Johnson, Lasith Malinga and Pragyan Ojha bowled well and picked two wickets each in the process.
After Kolkata posted a competitive 159 for 6 upon choosing to bat, Mumbai replied with 162 for 5, Ambati Rayudu bringing up the winning boundary with a ball to spare.
It wasn't a good start for both Mumbai and the spectators as birthday boy Sachin Tendulkar departed without making an impression. Dwayne Smith gave the innings a much needed push and scored a 45-ball 62. Skipper Rohit Sharma, as Ponting made way for Mitchell Johnson, played a watchful knock but couldn't see his side through either.
What looked to be an easy chase had its share of drama as the equation was swaying in Kolkata's favour before Harbhajan Singh launched a maximum to reduce it to 3 from 3, which the visitors achieved with one ball to spare.
Sunil Narine's mystery continued as the spinner scalped three to take the purple cap. It wasn't a bad day for Kolkata, but they certainly need some fine tuning in some areas.
Earlier, after electing to bat, Kolkata innings started with some serious fireworks as struggling Yusuf Pathan went berserk. It was only a 6-ball stay, but Pathan looked at attacking best.
It was not skipper Gautam Gambhir's day either as the left-hander couldn't continue with his good run in the tournament, and fell without making a substantial contribution.
What followed next would have pleased Kolkata, but inability of even one player, after almost everyone got off to starts, to bat through the innings would have disappointed Gambhir and Co.
Mumbai got their act right with the ball, and picked wickets at regular intervals. Johnson, Lasith Malinga and Pragyan Ojha bowled well and picked two wickets each in the process.
