Mumbai Indians storm into Semis

Tags: Champions League T20 2013, Group A - Mumbai Indians Vs Perth Scorchers 19th Match at Delhi - Oct 02, 2013, Rohit Gurunath Sharma, Sam McFarlan Whiteman, Dwayne Romel Smith

Published on: Oct 02, 2013

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Mumbai Indians have stormed into the Semi Finals of CLT20 2013 at the expense of Otago Volts following a power-packed victory this evening over Perth Scorchers.

By BV Swagath

Mumbai Indians have stormed into the Semi Finals of CLT20 2013 at the expense of Otago Volts following a power-packed victory this evening over Perth Scorchers. Mumbai Indians have finished second in Group A on same points with Otago Volts but with a superior net run rate. Skipper Rohit Sharma led his team from the front to help them chase down Perth’s target of 150 with as many as 40 balls to spare!

Right from the toss, everything went in favour of the Mumbai Indians at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. They rightly elected to bowl first to get a clear picture of their target to qualify for the Semis. Perth Scorchers, who are eliminated already, obliged the Mumbai Indians by posting a modest total of 149 for 6. Nathan Coulter-Nile with 3 for 19 in 4 overs along with the other bowlers did well to slow down Perth.

Perth Scorchers had a solid opening stand of 55 but it came rather slow in 9.2 overs with Ashton Agar consuming 40 balls for his 35. The Scorchers finally got their momentum from no.4 bat Sam Whiteman, who scored 51* from 32 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes.

Mumbai’s equation to make it to the Semis was to get to their target of 150 in just 14.2 overs! Sachin Tendulkar made a quick exit with a 2-ball duck. Glenn Maxwell playing in his first game flopped as well to leave MI in early trouble at 34 for 2 in 4 overs. Mumbai Indians lost Dwatne Smith in the 7th over but by then the West Indian smacked 48 from 25 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes to take the score to 72 for 3.

Rohit Sharma took the onus on himself to smash an unbeaten 51 from just 24 balls with 3 fours and 4 sixes. Rohit got good support from Kieron Pollard (23 from 18 balls) and AT Rayudu (14* from 4 balls) to take Mumbai Indians into the Semis.

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