Sharma powers Mumbai to victory
Batsman makes 62 in eight-wicket win in IPL match.
Sharma blasted five sixes and three boundaries during his 32-ball stay at the crease to help Mumbai amass 183 for three in their 20 overs.
Rohit Sharma hit a whirlwind 62 as Mumbai Indians downed Pune Warriors by 41 runs in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday.
Sharma blasted five sixes and three boundaries during his 32-ball stay at the crease to help Mumbai amass 183 for three in their 20 overs before Australia’s Mitchell Johnson ensured there was no trouble in containing their opponents.
Johnson claimed three for 33 as Pune were restricted to 142 for eight, a lot more than they would have imagined after being reduced to 38 for four inside the sixth over.
However, the win, Mumbai’s third in the tournament after four matches, was set up by Sharma. The right-hander arrived at the crease at 60 for two after Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting had given the team a reasonable start.
Captain Ponting was dismissed for 14, while Tendulkar made 44 off 29 deliveries. Sharma carried on their good work, putting on 55 for the third wicket with Dinesh Karthik and then added another 68, in just 29 balls, with Kieron Pollard as Mumbai reached a competitive total.
While Mumbai consolidated their place among the top teams, Pune, who suffered their third loss in four matches, languish near the bottom of the IPL table.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 14th, 2013.