Pune/Mohali: Mumbai Indians defeated Pune Warriors India by five wickets at Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, Pune while Sunrisers Hyderabad thrashed Kings XI Punjab by 30 runs at PCA Stadium, Mohali in the IPL matches on Saturday.
In the first match of the day, brilliant bowling by Mitchell Johnson, Harbhajan Singh and Lasith Malinga helped Mumbai restrict Pune Warriors for a paltry 112 runs. Later some sensible batting from skipper Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu steered Mumbai to a comfortable five-wicket win against Pune. The win also helped Mumbai Indians inch closer to earning a play-off berth.
Opting to bat first, Pune were out done by Mitchell Johnson who led the way with an economical figures of 2/8 off his four overs. Later, Lasith Malinga and Abu Nechim Ahmed, too, came up with impressive performances, picking up two wickets each. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also impressed with a spell of one for 14, which included the wicket of Yuvraj Singh, who was looking good with a 29-ball 33.
Chasing 113, Mumbai were off to a disastrous start, losing opener Dwayne Smith in the innings' first delivery to Ashok Dinda. Sachin Tendulkar started off well before Ajantha Mendis had him caught at long-on by Manish Pandey. Soon Dinesh Karthik followed as he was caught by Pandey off Yuvraj at long off and it seemed Mumbai were heading for a trouble.
But Ambati Rayudu and Rohit Sharma batted sensibly and took Mumbai close to victory. Rayudu smashed a few quick runs but he failed to see the visitors through as Dinda had him caught at deep square-leg. Sharma, however, was composed at the other end. With Mumbai needing 13 off the last three overs, their latest million-dollar signing, Glenn Maxwell, playing in his first match, hit Dinda for a four and six to make the scores level. Sharma, after doing all the hard work, got out to Kane Richardson before Harbhajan lofted the bower over extra cover to complete the chase.
In the second match of the day, Darren Sammy bolwed brilliantly to take four wickets as Sunrisers Hyderabad thrashed Kings XI Punjab by 30 runs to keep themselves in the hunt for a play-off berth.
Sammy (4/22) claimed two crucial wickets in his first two deliveries before adding two more later to play a big role in Sunrisers defending 150 for seven they scored revolving around Parthiv Patel's 61. Dale Steyn chipped in with two wickets for 20 runs while Thisara Perera grabbed on wicket.
Chasing 151 for a win, KXIP were restricted to 120 for nine with Luke Pomersbach top-scoring with a 40-ball 33 not out. The KXIP, who are now virtually out of reckoning for a play-offs berth.