Mumbai send Delhi crashing to 98-run defeat

New Delhi: Mumbai Indians put up an all-round exhibition to send Delhi Daredevils crashing to a 98-run defeat at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Wednesday.

Put into bat, Sachin Tendulkar led the charge with a blitzkrieg 32-ball 63 as Mumbai Indians put on a stunning batting performance to put up a mammoth 218-7, before their bowlers finished off the job in 16.3 overs, a strong Delhi Daredevils batting outfit shot out for 120.

Delhi began their chase in style as Tillakaratne Dilshan and Virender Sehwag took the attack to the Mumbai bowlers. But Dilshan's Sri Lankan teammate Lasith Malinga ended his stay with his deceptive change of pace.

Delhi's run chase was depleted by the absence of captain Gautam Gambhir, suffered a hamstring injury early into the match. Sehwag looked to resume from where he left off in Ahmedabad against Rajasthan Royals, but his early onslaught was cut short for 26 by Dwayne Bravo.

The West Indies all-rounder, who landed in India prior this game, struck again in the same over to send back AB de Villiers. Dinesh Karthik's dismissal for 16, and Mithun Manhas and Farveez Maharoof's departure made matters worse as Delhi were staring the down the barrel at 106-6.

Mumbai wrapped up the proceedings with the wicket of Dirk Nannes as Gambhir didn't come out to bat, the victory taking the visitors to the top of the league standings. Bravo, Harbhajan and Sanath Jayasuriya picked up two wickets apiece.

Earlier, Tendulkar got Mumbai off to a lightning start at the Kotla, with the batsman putting every skill of his craft to display as he struck perfect cricketing strokes for 11 boundaries.

While Tendulkar set up Mumbai, young left-hander Saurabh Tiwary cracked 61 from 37 balls and Ambati Rayudu chipped in with a handy 34 as the Delhi bowlers were sent on a leather hunt at their home ground after captain Gautam Gambhir won the toss and put them in to bat.

Delhi got the prized breakthrough of Sanath Jayasuriya to a spectacular catch from Yogesh Nagar, but Tendulkar carried on to set up Mumbai.

Tiwary and Ambati Rayudu, who starred for Mumbai against Rajasthan, took over the mantle from Tendulkar and took Mumbai to a comfortable position. Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo thrilled with cameos to lift the team to an imposing total.