Duminy, Rahane keep Mumbai Indians afloat

Port Elizabeth: Mumbai Indians rode on a record stand by Jean-Paul Duminy and Ajinkya Rahane to beat Bangalore Royal Challengers by 16 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on today.

The duo put on 104 off 72 balls, the highest third-wicket partnership in the IPL, as Mumbai scored 157-2 in 20 overs before restricting Bangalore to 141-7 at St George's Park here. Mumbai's fourth win in 10 matches took them to nine points and kept their hopes alive of making the semi-finals. Bangalore were stuck on eight points from 10 games. Both teams have four more league matches to play.

Rahane and Duminy came to the crease after skipper Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed for zero in the second over and Sri Lankan veteran Sanath Jayasuriya fell for 29 in the eighth. Rahane remained unbeaten on 62 off 49 balls with four boundaries and a six. Duminy made 59 not out off 41 balls, a knock that was studded with three sixes and two fours.

Bangalore's challenge faded after four wickets fell for 58 by the 10th over, including those of Jacques Kallis (12) and Rahul Dravid (10). Mark Boucher smashed an unbeaten 48 off 33 balls but his gallant effort was not enough for Bangalore to snatch an unlikely win. Harbhajan Singh was Mumbai's star bowler with 2-15 in four overs.

On Saturday, Subramaniam Badrinath and Matthew Hayden took Chennai Super Kings to the top table with a seven-wicket victory over title-holders Rajasthan Royals. Super Kings, with 13 points, have now toppled Delhi Daredevils to emerge as the new leaders while Rajasthan Royals are in the third place with 11 points.

Electing to bat, Rajasthan Royals were restricted to 140-7 by a disciplined Super Kings side. Man of the Match Badrinath (59 not out) and Hayden (48) then stitched a 89-run partnership to steer Super Kings home with 10 balls to spare. Hayden, who has been in envious form this IPL, produced another impressive 44-ball innings but it was Badrinath who emerged the star of Chennai innings. Badrinath played a whirlpool innings off 41 balls that was studded with nine fours and a six.

Earlier, Super Kings bowled a tight length backed by a sharp fielding to tie down Rajasthan Royals to a modest total. Albie Morkel gave Super Kings the breakthrough in the third ball of the match, clipping the bails of in-form batsman Naman Ojha. Graeme Smith (30) and Swapnil Asnodkar (26) then tried to repair the damage, adding 53 runs for the second wicket. Skipper Shane Warne produced some fireworks towards the end with an unbeaten 21 off 11 balls but that was not enough to produce a winning total.