Tendulkar guides Mumbai Indians’ win over Knight Riders

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MUMBAI - Sachin Tendulkar scored a fine unbeaten 71 to guide Mumbai Indians to a seven-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Brabourne Stadium here Monday.

Mumbai Indians easily chased the target of 156 runs, losing three wickets, in 18.3 overs as Knight Riders suffered their fifth consecutive loss to the Mumbai team.

The Mumbai Indians bowlers bowled a tight line and length to restrict the Knight Riders to 155 for three in 20 overs after captain Sourav Ganguly opted to bat first.

Chris Gayle, playing his first match of the tournament, struck 75 off 60 balls while Ganguly and Owais Shah scored 31 runs each.

Mumbai Indians got off to a flying start with Shikhar Dhawan (23) and Tendulkar, who hit 10 fours in his 48-ball stay, scoring at more than 10 runs per over.

Dhawan greeted Shane Bond by smashing him for three fours in the first over and in the second, Ishant Sharma suffered the same fate at the hands of Man of the Match Tendulkar.

The batting maestro was in full form and smashed Ishant for three fours again in the fourth over, by when the hosts had put 45 runs on board.

It forced the early introduction of spinners in the third over and both Gayle and Murali Kartik were successful in slowing down the run flow.

Dhawan departed after he came down to charge Kartik and was caught by Ganguly at short-midwicket with the score at 61 in 6.5 overs.

Saurabh Tiwary (30) and Tendulkar carried on in the same breath spanking the Knight Riders’ bowling to all parts of the ground before Ganguly took a spectacular catch at the covers to get rid of Tiwary off Ishant.

R. Sathish (21 not out) then played a responsible innings with his captain and took Mumbai Indians home without any more loss.

Earlier, Gayle and Ganguly got the Knight Riders to a great start with their 70-run stand. Gayle’s 60-ball knock was studded with seven fours and two sixes.

Shah also came up with an useful 31 but some tight bowling by Mumbai Indians in the last few overs saw Knight Riders making just 155 for three. Mumbai Indians spearhead Zaheer Khan picked up two wickets for 27 runs.