MUMBAI, (Reuters) – Sachin Tendulkar and Ambati Rayudu both hit 51 to set up a 23-run victory for table-topping Mumbai Indians over second from bottom Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL) yesterday.
Elsewhere, New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum smashed 37 in 19 balls to power sixth-placed Kochi Tuskers Kerala to a seven-wicket win over third from bottom Delhi Daredevils.
Captain Tendulkar and Rayudu shared a second-wicket partnership of 95 after skipper Adam Gilchrist put Mumbai in to bat at the Wankhede Stadium.
West Indian Kieron Pollard (20) and Rohit Sharma (18) also scored briskly at the end as the home team chalked up 159 for five.
Australian Shaun Marsh (61) then put on 72 for the second wicket with Paul Valthaty (33) after Punjab had lost Gilchrist for a duck.
Mumbai, though, pegged them back with tight bowling and picked up wickets at regular intervals.
Pacemen Lasith Malinga and Munaf Patel and spinner Harbhajan Singh claimed two wickets apiece and restricted Punjab to 136 for eight.
In New Delhi, McCullum smashed five fours and two sixes and shared an opening stand of 61 in 5.1 overs with Michael Klinger (18) after Kochi had restricted Delhi to 140 for six.
Parthiv Patel (37 not out) and Brad Hodge (24 not out) added 52 for the fourth wicket as Kochi cantered to victory with five overs to spare.
