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Royal Challengers Bangalore beat the Mumbai Indians by five wickets in a close match on Sunday at Wankhede Stadium. Given a target of 165 runs, the Royal Challengers achieved this in 19.4 overs after losing 5 wickets to some good bowling by the Mumbai Indians.
Rahul Dravid, along with Shivranarine Chanderpaul laid a solid base for the Royal Challengers with Dravid scoring a solid 37 runs off 30 balls before getting out to Harbhajan Singh's off spin. Others played their part as well and made sure that the target of 165 runs was never quite out of reach. But a fifth wicket partnership between Jacques Kalis (25 runs off 24 balls) and Mark Boucher (39 runs off 19 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes) was the crucial part of the match.
Ross Taylor (23 runs off 12 balls) and Virat Kohli (23 runs off 14 balls with 3 fours and 1 six) also played important knocks. During the first innings, the Mumbai Indians, helped by Robin Uthappa's and Sanath Jayasurya's quick-fire innings made sure that they scored at a decent pace. But some tight bowling by Zaheer Khan (4-0-17-2) and B.Akhil (3-0-17-2) controlled the pace of the innings nicely.
Earlier in the day Mumbai Indians won the toss and decided to bat. Youngster Luke Ronchi opened the innings as Sachin Tendulkar opted out because of his groin injury. He played a decent innings before being out caught by Virat Kohli at point. Dominic Thornley had to retired hurt as a delivery from Zaheer Khan sneaked through his helmet and hit his face. Mumbai Indians kept losing wickets at regular intervals but Jayasurya and top scorer Robin Uthappa (48 runs) help stabilize the innings to a certain extent. Some lusty hitting by Shaun Pollock (28 runs) enabled Mumbai Indians to pile up a fighting score of 165.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indians: 165 for 6
Royal Challengers Bangalore: 166 for 5 in 19.4 overs.
Man of the Match: Mark Boucher
Man of the Match: Mark Boucher
