The fact that Sachin Tendulkar missed out on the real time action due to a finger injury sustained in the first match in Mumbai Indians match against Pune Warriors did dishearten the fans country wide and even though he had to cheer for his team from the dugout the match did not fail to reach the anticipated temperature.

The clash did not fail to deliver on the expected lines and seldom does one get to see such a kind attacking cricket all round in these form of the game. First up was Mumbai Indians who restricted Pune to a meager score of 129 and then failed to achieve the target due to some fine bowling display by their opponent. 

The match was played at the Wankhede did provide assistance to the bowlers and they deserve to take the lion’s share when it comes down to appreciation but some batting performances were also equally important for the eventual outcome of the match considering the fact that pitch was acting a little generous to the bowlers.

Every match has its share of hits and flops and so did this one. Let just have at what we at Indian Sports News think was the hits and flop of the game.

Hits and flop of Pune Warriors

(Hits)

Steve Smith: When Pune Warriors was tumbling down like a house of cards, it was this man from Australia who helped his team to reach the total of 129. Smith scored 39 runs from 32 balls which included four well struck boundaries. Even though the total did not look convincing in the beginning eventually emerged to be a winning score and his knock was duly appreciated as he was awarded the man of the match.

Robin Uthappa: Robbie even though was not at his best, but then he once again proved what his utility in the team is. His knock of 36 runs off 33 balls including three fours did turn out instrumental in helping the Warriors win the match.

Ashok Dinda: He was on fire in the match just like he was throughout the Ranji season this year. He picked up four wickets by just giving 18 runs. He picked up wickets at regular intervals and took the prized scalp of Rohit Sharma and James Franklin.

Murali Karthik: Former Indian international and now out of favor did not disappoint his captain when he was asked to open the innings with the ball for his team. With the second delivery he bowled, he had Richard Levi stumped, dealing a deadly blow to Mumbai at the very start of the innings. Mumbai could not set their tone after this wicket and the rest we know it all. Later in the innings he dealt one more ferocious blow to the Mumbai team when he dismissed the all set Dinesh Karthik on 32. He eventually returned with figures of two wickets by just giving away fourteen runs of three overs.

Sourav Ganguly, (the captain): Well he proved his resiliency again. After being snubbed by all the franchisees last season and then coming on Pune Warriors board due to a late injury replacement and captaining the side due to Yuvraj’s absence in this season, he showed the World that he is the real ‘Dada’ of Indian cricket. His captaincy was a major force behind Pune Warriors win last night. When Levi is the man on strike and after seeing him play against Chennai, no one would have actually expected Ganguly to start with Karthik. But Ganguly’s decision was bang on and so was Murali Karthik. He dismissed Levi of his second delivery which was a killer blow to the Mumbai Indians. And then after that the way he rotated his bowlers and his strategies, temperament was proof enough to the fact that you can take “Dada out of captaincy but cannot take captaincy out of Dada.”

Flops:

Marlon Samuels: Samuels as all know. One of the best clean hitters of the ball, but he flattered to deceive and when it was actually required for him to deliver, he failed. He just scored four runs.

Hits and flops of Mumbai Indians:

(Hits)

Bowlers: Mumbai Indians are at it again. Second consecutive time they delivered the sucker punch and did not let batsmen thrive. After dismissing Chennai Super Kings for a paltry score, they were at it again and dismissed Pune for 129 runs. Even though they lost the duel, it still would give them a reason to cheer as they know that their bowling is so far the best and if they continue doing so, they could very well become the best unit of this year’s IPL.

Harbhajan Singh, (the captain): His captaincy skills are drawing everyone’s attention towards it. He is captaining with great devotion and his strategies hardly fails. His is leading the team from the front and such was the impact that he drew appreciation from Ganguly, the most successful captain of India for his captaincy who went ahead to say that Bhajji has skills all set to become to captain of Indian National Team.

(Flops)

Richard Levi: After a swashbuckling innings on the inaugural match, lot was expected out of him and he very well had the capacity to see Mumbai through all by himself. But he failed and his failure also had a detrimental effect on the team who could thrive after that.

Rohit Sharma: Well he seems to not getting it right and he is not able to stand up to the expectations of his team. After getting out for duck in the first match, he could score only one run in yesterday’s match. Well he needs to start deliver in time if Mumbai for Mumbai to realize their endeavor of making it to the play-offs.

Indian Sports News