Anil Kumble’s side, which suffers a demoralising 57-run loss at the hands of a rampaging Mumbai Indians, is now locked with four others for a semifinal slot.
The success mantra of Mumbai Indians in this edition of the Indian Premier League has been team effort. On Saturday, once again, the team worked as a unit to beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 57 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Despite this loss, RCB are likely to make it to the semifinals as they have a better run-rate. Only big upsets on the part of other teams can prevent Anil Kumble’s side from making it to the last-four stage for the second straight year.
But, whether it was the batting, bowling or for that matter fielding, it was Mumbai’s day out. Skipper Sachin Tendulkar made just 19 runs after Mumbai were put into bat, but the likes of Ryan McLaren and Ambati Rayadu took advantage of the mediocre bowling to take the league leaders to a commanding total.
Rayadu’s 27-ball 47 provided the Mumbai Indians the josh, while McLaren dropped anchor. The South African left-hander was dropped on two occasions.
Duminy then took advantage of his two lives and batted till the 17th over to give the Mumbai Indians a strong foundation.
West Indian big-ticket purchase Kieron Pollard once again came up with a cameo. The right-hander’s 20 off seven balls was more than useful. South African left-hander Jean-Paul Duminy’s 42 off 19, which included three sixes and as many fours, came at the right time.
The run chase for the hosts was never easy. They never really took off with openers Jacques Kallis and Manish Pandey rather slow off the blocks. With the asking rate increasing with every passing delivery, the pressure was only piling up on the Royal Challengers.
In the race for the semis…
Mumbai Indians have 20 points from 13 games and were the first team to qualify for the semifinals; Royal Challengers Bangalore with 14 points from 14 games will have wait and hope that their net run-rate sees them through; Delhi Daredevils with 14 points from 13 games have to win their last game; Deccan Chargers are in a similar position as Daredevils; Chennai Super Kings have 12 points from 13 games and have to win their last match; KKR have to win their last game against Mumbai Indians and also improve their net run-rate, while RR and KXIP are out of semifinal race.
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