Defending champion Mumbai Indians’ campaign started on a disappointing note, as it lost to Highveld Lions by eight wickets, in their opening match of the Champions League Twenty20 here on Sunday.
The catalysts for Lions’ victory were Neil McKenzie (68 not out off 41 balls) and 19-year-old Quinton de Kock (51 not out off 33) as the duo helped the side chase the target of 158 with seven balls to spare at the New Wanderers Stadium.
Mumbai posted 157 for six after being invited to bat and then failed to find an answer for McKenzie and de Kock’s joint assault that left them bruised and battered.
For the record, Mumbai had lost to Lions in the second edition of the event two years ago.
Turning point
It could have been anybody’s game till Dhawal Kulkarni and Mumbai skipper Harbhajan Singh were taken to the cleaners in the 16th and 17th over.
While Kulkarni conceded 17 runs, Harbhajan was smashed for 16 as Lions galloped towards the target. Kulkarni’s three overs went for 37 while Harbhajan gave away 36 in his four.
Earlier, Mumbai relied on useful contributions from its batsmen to reach a total, which did not prove to be enough.
Mitchell Johnson scored 30 while Rohit Sharma and Dwayne Smith fell in the 20s after getting starts. Dinesh Karthik scored a breezy nine-ball 19 towards the end.
The scores:
Mumbai Indians: D. Smith lbw b Morris 26, S. Tendulkar b Phangiso 16, Rohit b Nannes 27, M. Johnson c Tsolekile b Tanvir 30, K. Pollard b Tanvir 11, D. Karthik (not out) 19, A. Rayudu (run out) 4, Extras (b-5, lb-10, w-9): 24, Total (for six wickets in 20 overs): 157.
Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-64, 3-99, 4-122, 5-151, 6-157.
Lions bowling: Tanvir 4-0-31-2, Nannes 4-0-15-1, Morris 4-0-44-1, Phangiso 4-0-17-1, de Bruyn 4-0-35-0.
Highveld Lions: G. Bodi c Rohit b Harbhajan 19, A. Petersen c Rayudu b Malinga 14, Q. de Kock (not out) 51, N. Mckenzie (not out) 68; Extras (lb-1, w-5): 6; Total (for two. wkts. in 18.5 overs): 158.
Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-37.
Mumbai Indians bowling: Johnson 3-0-20-0, Malinga 3.5.-1-18-1, Kulkarni 3-0-37-0, Harbhajan 4-0-36-1, Ojha 2-0-19-0, Smith 1-0-6-0, Pollard 2-0-21-0.
via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/lions-subdue-mumbai-indians/article3997310.ece
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