Mumbai survive Pathan blitz

Mumbai survive Pathan blitz


Media Release For immediate Publication

Pathan sets Brabourne Stadium on fire but Mumbai Indians win by 4 runs

Post Match Report: Match-2 Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals, Brabourne Stadium, 13th March, 2010.

Mumbai, March 13: In a really tight finish, the Mumbai Indians today managed to edge out 2008 Champions the Rajasthan Royals by four runs but not before 27-year-old Yusuf Pathan (100; 37 balls, 9x4, 8x6) set the Brabourne Stadium on fire as he struck the fastest century of the IPL. Pathan’s 100 came off just 37 deliveries and beat Deccan Chargers Captain Adam Gilchrist’s record of 100 in 42 balls against Mumbai Indians made in the inaugural season. The Deccan Chargers were victors than but the script was different as the Mumbai Indians managed to scramble home this time. However, Pathan’s fantastic effort was in vain, as he was run out in the 18th over, thanks to a superb reflex throw by Rajagopal Satish.

Needing 11 runs for victory in the 20th over, Rajasthan Royal’s lost the plot a little as Paras Dogra (29-ball 41) was also run out and sling bowler Lasith Malinga, who bowled a great death over, castled Amit Uniyal. Thus, the Rajasthan Royals finished at 208/7 after needing 213 runs for victory, set by Mumbai Indians.

"I’m in good form. I enjoyed my batting. The ball came nicely to the bat," said the man of the match Yusuf Pathan.

Chasing the 200-plus target, Rajasthan Royals were off to a bad start at 66/4 in 9.2 overs, including the wicket of the dangerous Graeme Smith, brilliantly caught and bowled by Rajagopal Sathish. But Pathan, who seemed to be in sublime form, turned the game on its head with the fastest century in IPL history. There were six sixes and two fours in Pathan’s 50, which came off 21 balls. There was drama, excitement and entertainment as Pathan and Dogra started to tear apart the Mumbai Indians bowling. The two added 107 runs off 79 deliveries before Pathan’s unfortunate dismissal swung the match in favour of the Mumbai Indians. Zaheer Khan and Malinga bowled splendidly at the death to stop the Rajasthan Royals.

Earlier, 24-year-old Ambati Rayudu (33-ball 55; 6x4, 2x6), who made his IPL debut, and young Saurabh Tiwary (53 off 33 balls; 4x4, 2x6) fired the Mumbai Indians to their highest ever score of 212/6, surpassing their previous best of 202/7 (against Chennai Super Kings in 2008). The wristy Rayudu, who shared 110 runs with young Saurabh Tiwary, destroyed the Rajasthan Royals attack. Both the batsmen reached their 50 with same number of deliveries (30 balls). Rayudu fell to a catch at deep mid-wicket while Tiwary was out thanks to a sensational one-handed effort by wicketkeeper Naman Ojha, who leapt to his left to take the catch.

Mumbai Indians lost Sanath Jayasuriya (23), skipper Sachin Tendulkar (17) and debutant AP Tare (23) after the three had rattled up 70 runs in 6.3 overs before Rayudu-Tiwary led a recovery act for the home side.

An off-colour Shaun Tait, the world’s fastest bowler, was walloped for 46 runs from his four overs while left-arm medium pacer Amit Uniyal, the former ICL player, gave away 41 runs. Skipper Shane Warne went wicketless and conceded 29 runs.

Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar said it was a terrific game. "It is good start to the season. I really enjoyed Yusuf’s batting,’’ said Tendulkar, who added Rayudu and Tiwary had a good partnership.

Rajasthan Royals Warne described it as one of the best knocks. "It was one of the best innings I have seen in 21 years,’’ he said.

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