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10-Apr-2012 02:43:00 GMT
Deccan Chargers Hyderabad v Mumbai Indians, IPL 2012, Visakhapatnam

Rohit Dazzles as Mumbai Win Lass-ball Thriller

Visakhapatnam: A Mumbai-Hyderabad match is never devoid of drama and suspense. The two sides, who have an even record against each other in the IPL, produced some exciting cricket as there was a perfect blend of huge hits, flurry of wickets and a lot of melodrama in the middle. In a low-scoring thriller, Rohit Sharma's level-headed approach helped Mumbai pull off a five-wicket win.

It was heartbreak for the home side and especially for Dale Steyn, whose fiery 3-12 spell, had given his side a huge chance to win. In the end, however, it was Rohit who stole the thunder. With Mumbai needing 18 off the last over, James Franklin stuck Daniel Christian's first ball for a four and then took a two and stole a bye off the third ball.

With 11 needed off the last three balls, Rohit swung his bat wildly and connected a full toss outside the off-stump. The ball sailed over point for a six. Rohit then ran two off the next ball, barely surviving a run-out attempt. He then hammered the last ball over the long on fence to bring up victory. Rohit's unbeaten 73 came off 50 balls with four fours and six sixes.

Earlier, during the Hyderabad innings, there was high drama in the 13th over bowled by Munaf Patel which saw the dismissal of skipper Kumar Sangakkara. Sangakkara attempted a drive only to edge it on to his stumps. Even as the bails went up in the air, the ball hit keeper Dinesh Karthik's pads and then hit the stumps again. Sangakkara stood his ground even as the Mumbai players vehemently protested.

Umpire Anil Chowdhary consulted his colleague JD Colete, who ruled it not out. Harbhajan got into an argument with Colete and Patel and the other Mumbai players took on Chowdhary. After animated discussion, the umpires referred the decision to third umpire Dharmasena, who ruled Sangakkara (14) out.

The entire exercise took more than five minutes. What baffles one is the reluctance of the umpires to straightaway refer the decision to the third umpire. In the end, they made a mess of what should have been an easy decision to make.

It was Shikhar Dhawan who helped resurrect the Hyderabad innings after early hiccups. The southpaw tore into his former franchisee's attack in a blistering display of power hitting.

Brief scores:
Deccan Chargers
138 for 9 (Dhawan 41, Christian 39, Munaf 4-20)
Mumbai Indians 142 for 5 (Rohit 73*, Steyn 3-12)
Result Mumbai Indians won by five wickets
MOM Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians)
Points Mumbai Indians 2, Deccan Chargers 0


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