Hyderabad hold nerve to pip Mumbai Friday May 02 2014

DUBAI: Sunrisers Hyderabad clinched an 15-run victory over Mumbai Indians despite an blistering knock of 78 by Kieron Pollard taking them close to the target in the IPL match here on Wednesday. Hyderabad, who were buoyed by excellent knocks from David Warner and KL Rahul that took them to a commanding total of 172 for five in their allotted 20 overs were in trouble earlier in the game. Rohit Sharma continued to open despite being out of sorts in this tournament. He almost ran out his partner Dunk of the fifth ball of the first over. Dunk got on his toes and spanked Steyn for a boundary to show why he is so highly rated in the Big Bash. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar got the first breakthrough in what was a high class display of seam bowling, castled Rohit and Mumbai were on the back-foot. Corey Anderson was promoted up the order at number three and it was a rather risky ploy with the ball seaming around. Steyn had Anderson all at sea in the first few balls and the burly New Zealanders nightmarish run in the IPL continued when the speed-gun sent Anderson packing with a snorter of a delivery which the batsmen tried to scoop it past short-fine leg and was safely taken by keeper Naman Ojha. Dunk tried to calm waters at one end which resulted in a couple of boundaries of Karn Sharma. That was followed by another full-blooded whip that went through the fingers of David Warner at covers for another boundary. Sammy had the final laugh when a straight-ish delivery hit Dunk’s pad and deflected on to his stumps to leave Hyderabad tottering at 32 for three after six overs. Hyderabad captain Shikhar Dhawan sensed blood and brought Dale Steyn for his third over. Steyn was at steaming in at a furious pace and another wicket should have fallen when a nervous prod from Ambati Rayudu nearly found Darren Sammy at first slip. After a rather slow start, Kieron Pollard drove a couple of boundaries off Karn Sharma with the required run-rate mounting with every passing delivery. The spinners were tidy in the middle overs though not giving much away. It was epitomised by Pollard trying to kick the ball to the fence in frustration after consecutive dot balls. With the required run-rate touching 12 the Mumbai Indians were in dire need of inspiration and Pollard answered Mumbais prayers by smoking one over mid-wicket for a boundary and bludgeoning two massive sixes that comfortably crossed the boundary ropes despite the all-rounder mistiming those deliveries. Hyderabad found an unlikely source in Irfan Pathan to break the partnership that was threatening to take the game away from the men in orange. After the second strategic time-out the full wrath of Pollard willow was in full cry against Amit Mishra. Pollard first creamed two over-pitched deliveries by the leg spinner in the upper tier of the stands and smashed two quicker ones down the ground for another six and a boundary that left every fielder unmoved. With Mumbai needing 20 of the last over and Irfan Pathan was handed the ball in the last over and in what looked like a message to the selectors\ Irfan sent Pollard back to the pavilion, yorking the West Indian off a scorcher and the Hyderabad camp were jubilant. The final deliveries were equally impressive and only gave away a measly four runs to give Hyderabad their second win in IPL.