HYDERABAD, India, (Reuters) – Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga took three for nine against Deccan Chargers to help Mumbai Indians consolidate their position at the top of the Indian Premier League today with their fifth win.
In Jaipur, 41-year old Shane Warne (3-16) headed a superb bowling display from the Rajasthan Royals to guide them to a comfortable eight-wicket victory against Kerala Kochi Tuskers with 35 balls to spare.
Mumbai, who were asked to bat, were tottering at 70 for four after a brisk opening stand of 47 between Sachin Tendulkar (2*) and Davy Jacobs (32).
Rohit Sharma (56 off 34 balls) and former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds (44 off 33) added 102 in an unbroken fifth wicket stand to take their side to 172 for four.
Sharma hit three sixes in the final over as the duo plundered 40 runs in the last two overs of their innings against their former IPL franchise.
Malinga, who announced his retirement from test cricket last week, then got into the act with a succession of swinging yorkers. He also ran out Cameron White with a direct hit to bring about a 37-run win for Mumbai on Tendulkar’s 38th birthday.
The Kochi Tuskers, led by Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardene, failed to read Warne’s flight and spin and, with seamer Siddharth Trivedi also chipping in with three for 19, they were bundled out for a paltry 109.
Rahul Dravid (44) put on 71 runs for the opening wicket with Australian Shane Watson (49) before getting run out as Rajasthan leap-frogged from sixth to second spot with their third victory.
