Fri, 15 Apr 2011 - IP Mumbai vs IP Kochi, IPL 2011, 13th Match - Bulletin

Kochi’s first IPL win shocks Mumbai

Sachin Tendulkar’s maiden century in t-20 cricket went in a vain as Kochi successfully chased down a target of 183 runs with an over to spare to register their first win of IPL career. Newcomers Kochi who had a poor start to their IPL campaign losing first two matches broke the losing streak to shock Mumbai team and the jam packed crowd that had come to cheer for their home team.

The chase was set up by power of Brendon McCullum and class of Mahela Jayawardene who decided to open the innings as opening pair put on 128 runs in 14th over. After the dismissal of openers, it was clam heads of young Ruvindu Jadeja and experienced Brad Hodge to give finishing touches to one of the best chases in IPL history.

When Lasith Malinga getting the wicket of McCullum and 27 runs still needed off 17 balls, Mumbai might have thought they have a chance but Jadeja and Hodge has other ideas as it took them only 11 balls to round off the remaining runs. Kochi needed 19 runs off 12 balls but Jadeja looted all of them in one Murtaza Ali over hitting two sixes and a four as chase was finished in 19th over.

Incredible chase belonged to McCullum and Jayawardene as both took calculated risks during the match winning opening stand. The duo complemented each other very well as power of McCullum was supported by the grace of Mahela.

Runs were looted off all the Mumbai bowlers and even Malinga, despite taking both of the wickets to have fallen, was taken for 42 runs in his four over spell. McCullum took a liking to him as he took 19 runs off his second over while other bowlers also struggled to keep Kochi openers under check with Kieran Pollard conceding 43 runs in his three overs.

There was a definite plan from Mahela and McCullum picking up their spots and bowlers to score off. McCullum took 60 balls for his 81 hitting ten fours and two sixes Mahela first one to depart scored his 56 off 36 balls which included nine classic fours.

While McCullum powered his way in the innings Mahela was graceful as ever making things look easy at the middle.

Earleir, Mumbai crowd were treated yet another masterclass from the hero Sachin as master blaster brought up his maiden ton in t-20 cricket to power his side to a mammoth 182 runs after asked to have a first use of the pitch by Jayawardene.

His century came off last ball of the innings, when he drove Vinay Kumar to long-off as jam packed Mumbai crowd erupted to salute the son of the soil. His partnership with young Ambati Rayudu who scored his yet another IPL fifty of 116 for the second wicket was marked with a mixture of class, aggression, power and innovations. Kochi fielders were sent for a leather hunt to all corners of the ground with Rayudu hitting some crowd killers as well.

It was Sachin, who was the hero of Mumbai batting effort as he brought up his century off 66 balls including a dozen fours and three sixes. There was everything in Sachin’s superb batting show-straight, square and cover drives, pull shots, paddle and slog sweeps, some boundaries of edges, two close LBW appeals turned down by umpire and there was a helicopter shot played as well. One thing that was constant during his stay at the crease was class and his hunger for runs even in this format.

He scratched around in early stages not able to get to the pace of the pitch. But then Sachin is Sachin. He adjusted quickly to mix power with class of his. He slogged them thrice to hit as many sixes and played a helicopter shot which has MS Dhoni patent to mid-wicket boundary for a boundary. With this century Sachin got the orange cap and is yet to be dismissed this season. This isn’t good news for opposition bowlers, definitely not.

There was another batsman who wasn’t to be left behind, Rayudu who is impressing after every innings. He was a bubble of energy and class as he looked to match the master shot by shot who was at his ears all the time.

Having to miss out on four years of first-class due to different reasons that cost him dearly Rayudu is making sure that he drives a point about his talent home this time around. His ability to hit straight was on the display as he dispatched four sixes into the stands on his way to a 33-ball 53, his second consecutive fifty in the tournament.

His team man qualities were also seen when decided to run himself out to make sure that Sachin got the strike to complete his century.

All the bowlers from Kochi team were toyed and taken to cleaners by Sachin and Rayudu except for RP Singh who bowled his four overs for only 15 runs during a high scoring game.

Sachin’s opening partner Davy Jacobs struggled to find his touch as he consumed 21 balls for his 12 runs before getting being castled by Raiphi Gomez.