Navi Mumbai, April 21: So, Mumbai Indians will be one of the teams that will take part in the Twenty20 Indian Premier League – 3 finals here on April 25. There was no stopping them after they won match after match with their all-round performances and with today’s comprehensive 35-run victory over last year’s runners-up, Royal Challengers Bangalore, in the first semifinal.
Electing to bat, Mumbai Indians had a bad start. Captain Sachin Tendulkar and Shikhar Dhawan departed early and this put pressure on the batsmen down the line. However, they continued to perform. Ambati Rayudu contributed 40 and Abhishek Nayar brought in 22. The sixth wicket partnership of 40 off 14 balls between Saurabh Tiwary and Kieron Pollard changed the course of the game and helped the Mumbai team finish at 184/5 in 20 overs. Tiwary remained unbeaten on 52 runs which came off 31 balls with 4 hefty sixes and 3 boundaries. Pollard remained not out on 33 off 13 balls with 3 sixers and 1 boundary. Dale Steyn took 2 wickets.
In the second innings, Royal Challengers Bangalore lost in-form and dependable Jacques Kallis, whose name has been cropping up among the performers this IPL 2010 season, early. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals and could manage only 149/9 in 20 overs.
Rahul Dravid piled up 23 runs, while Robin Uthappa scored 26 off 13 balls. Ross Taylor was the top-scorer with an unbeaten 31. For Mumbai Indians, Pollard took 3 wickets, while Malinga and Harbhajan Singh took 2 wickets each.
Deservedly, Pollard was declared man of the match for his all-round performance.
Mumbai Indians will play the final against the winner of the second semifinal between Deccan Chargers and Chennai Super Kings that will be played tomorrow in the same venue.
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