The Mumbai Indians squandered a golden opportunity at Kingsmead Durban, needing just four in the last over against the fortuitous Rajasthan Royals.
Mumbai Indians lost four wickets for just four runs in the latter part of the match, three in the last over itself bowled by Munaf Patel, floundering an opportunity to grab valuable points in the final end phase of the IPL 2 in South Africa. With semi final spots still an open subject, every point added would have made a huge difference for the Mumbai Indians that has blown hot and cold right through IPL 2.
The criticism over their batting line up, constantly changing line ups as well as batting order has not helped the team either that is still trying to find its best eleven in their best eleven spots.
Sachin Tendulkar, positioned in the middle order like Sanath Jaysuriya, proved to be the force that held the Mumbai Indians together. But once he departed, the innings simply cracked under the pressure. For the Rajasthan Royals though, it was a brilliant opportunity to make the most of a choking opposition. Brilliant catches, including that by Yusuf Pathan, sharp run outs, tight bowling ensured that the Rajasthan Royals crossed the boundary as winners.
Tendulkar’s forty was done to dust as was Abhishek Nayyar whose partnership with Tendulkar raised hopes for the Mumbai Indians in the first place before Shane Warne struck the deadly blow. For the Rajasthan Royals, Rob Quiney and Ravindra Jadeja featured predominantly in a sixty run partnership that closed the deal and string of poor batting performances. While 145 was still a par score, with the likes of Shane Warne in the bowling attack and Johan Botha joining him after being cleared off suspect action, the struggling Mumbai Indians came within two runs of making their efforts count only to throw it all away in a fit of nervousness.
Botha Can Play, without Doosra
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