A sudden batting collapse saw Mumbai Indians lose eight wickets for only 33 runs as they were all out for 173 in 19.3 overs in their all-important 13th round IPL encounter against the Delhi Daredevils here today.
Placed comfortably at 140 for two in 14.1 overs, hosts lost wickets in a heap as Mike Hussey's 56 off 33 balls and last match's hero Lendl Simmons' 25-ball-35 were the only significant contributions.
Hussey's innings was laced with two sixes and seven fours as he put on 87 for the opening wicket in 8 overs with Simmons but the home team failed to take full advantage of their electrifying start.
Imran Tahir (3/37 in four overs) and Jaydev Unadkat (2/24 in 2 overs) were successful bowlers while three batsmen were run-out.
Skipper Rohit Sharma made 30 with four fours in 21 balls but his fall to an ill-advised cut shot that triggered a collapse.
Mumbai started in a blazing fashion thanks to Hussey's aggression after they were put in to bat by rival captain Kevin Pietersen. Hussey, with just one 50-plus score as his best effort this season, tore into the rival bowling attack with pulls and bottom handed shots before he was run out.
The retired Australian left hander raced to 41 off just 20 balls in the first power play period of six overs and it contained seven fours and a straight lofted six off left arm slow bowler Shabaz Nadeem and his all-out attack helped Mumbai pile on 65 for no loss during this productive phase.
Lendl Simmons, who came into the game after hitting the lone century (100 not out) of the tournament so far against Kings XI Punjab, played second fiddle but then opened out a bit to make 35 when he holed out to deep extra cover off leg spinner Tahir.
Hussey fell for 56 for the second time in the season, run out by a throw from point to wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik, who whipped out the bails just in time to catch the retired Australian short of crease to leave MI at 120 for 2 with eight overs in hand.
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