This is my last IPL: Sachin; Mumbai lifts maiden title
Mumbai Indians ended their IPL title drought in dashing style,
defeating two times champions Chennai Super Kings by 23 runs yesterday. Mumbai’s first-ever title was confirmed even before the match entered
into its final over with Chennai needing an improbable 42 runs from the
last six balls. Chennai captain MS Dhoni entertained the massive Eden
Gardens crowd with a couple of lusty blows against player-of-the-final
Kieron Pollard, had earlier lifted Mumbai from a hopeless 52-4 to a
competitive 148-9 with a fighting 60 off 32 balls.
Most of Dhoni’s 63 off 45 after the match had been lost, and only gave
Mumbai an extended time on the field to celebrate the title even when
the match was on. And moments after Mumbai Indians won, Sachin Tendulkar announced he had
played his last IPL. The last ball he played didn’t come in the victory
in the final, but a fortnight ago in a league match against Sunrisers
Hyderabad. That ball was sent over long-on for a six, but in the process
he also injured himself. He retired-hurt after that, and didn’t recover
in time to play another Mumbai game.
“This is my last IPL,” Tendulkar announced casually in a TV interview
after the win. “This has been a fantastic season. I thought our third
IPL season was the best before this. “I think this is the right time to stop playing the IPL. I am 40. Got to accept it. I had decided this was my last season.” Defending a modest total, the Mumbai Indians bowlers attacked their way
with Lasith Malinga, who took two wickets in the first over, and
Mitchell Johnson yorking and bouncing Chennai out of the game.
SCORES IN BRIEF
MUMBAI INDIANS: 148 for 9 (Pollard 60 not out, Rayudu 37; Bravo 4-42, Morkel 2-12)
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS: 125 for 9 (Dhoni 63 not out, Johnson 2-19, Harbhajan 2-14, Malinga 2-22)
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS: 125 for 9 (Dhoni 63 not out, Johnson 2-19, Harbhajan 2-14, Malinga 2-22)
Result: Mumbai Indians won the final by 23 runs.
Player-of-the-final: Pollard.
Player-of-the-final: Pollard.
Source: The Daily Star
