Harbhajan alround performs paved Mumbai Indians to crush Deccan Chargers
Harbhajan Singh shone both with the bat and ball to give Mumbai Indians a convincing 41 runs victory over Deccan Chargers and thus staying top of the table in IPL’s third edition.
Gilchrist won the toss and put Mumbai Indians to bat first. That decision did work out for him but Sachin Tendulkar craftiness made all the difference in the top of the batting order even though wickets tumbling at the other end. Sachin played matured innings to reach 55 off 43 balls with nine boundaries.
Mumbai Indians has lost 6 wickets for 93 in 13.1 overs. Inspite of spirited half century, Mumbai Indians reached a dire situation by losing too many wickets. Taking everyone in to surprise, Harbhajan came out with an astonishing innings by knocking 49 off just 18 balls to give a comfortable total to his team to defend. He smashed 8 fours and 2 sixes during his aggressive quick-fire innings. Sachin Tendulkar given his bat to Harbhajan Singh and he honored it by smashing those crucial runs. Mumbai Indians finally set 173 to be chased such a score was unlikely before Harbhajan blistering innings.
Sachin Tendulkar surprisingly made off-spinner Harbhajan Singh to open the innings. It has paid off immediately as he removed Gilchrist for a duck. However Gibbs showed what he is capable of by smashing quick 27 from 16 balls with 2 sixes and 3 fours. But he did not build on from that nice start as he succumbed to Zaheer Khan’s delivery. After that the only man who initiated lone battle against superb bowling by Mumbai Indians bowling unit was Rohit Sharma. He scored 45 from 28 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes. Zaheer bowled him with a fine yorker at the crucial juncture of the match. Malinga and Zaheer then wrapped off the tail.
Deccan Chargers was all out for 131. It was Harbhajan’s day and his alround performance fetched him man of the match.
