Pollock inspires Indians

Wily South African too much for Devils

Last updated: 4th May 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Pollock inspires Indians

Pollock: Wickets and runs

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Veteran South African Shaun Pollock played a crucial role as his Mumbai Indians claimed a surprise 29-run victory over the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League.

The 34-year-old cracked a vital 33 from 15 balls, bringing the Indians up to 162-8 in their 20 overs, before claiming 2-16 in his four overs as the Devils were skittled out for just 133.

Mumbai openers Yogesh Takawale and Sanath Jayasuriya got the hosts off to a steady start but Vijaykumar Yomahesh picked up both wickets in the sixth over, Tatawale chopping the ball straight to third man before Jayasuriya, who had made 34 in 16 balls, was clean bowled.

Robin Uthappa (22 off 21) and Dominic Thornley (30 off 24) threatened a big score but both were out when set - Thornley deceived by a great change of pace from Rajat Bhatia and Uthappa fell to Pradeep Sangwan.

The Indians had slipped from 109-3 to 112-6 but Pollock stood firm, thumping two fours and three sixes before holing out in the final over.

The South African then backed up his efforts with the bat by removing Shikhar Dhawan in the second over of the Delhi reply, and returned in hi second spell to remove the dangerous Shoaib Malik.

New-ball partner Ashish Nehra weighed in with three wickets, and although Virender Sehwag threatened to win the game on his own with 40 from 20 balls - including one cut over point for six - Thornely had him caught by Pollock in the 11th over and the weak looking batting line-up was not up to the chase.

Dinesh Karthik's 28 revived Delhi's hopes, but Nehra struck the killer blow with two wickets in two balls to dismiss Rajat Bhatia (nine) and Sangwan (two) before the last four wickets fell for just three runs.