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Images: Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab

Last updated on: March 31, 2010 00:12 IST

Image: Zaheer Khan

Mumbai Indians drew first blood when Zaheer Khan trapped Ravi Bopara leg before wicket in the second over of the innings. 

The England batsman played all over a full delivery from Zaheer trying to play it on the leg side but missed and was trapped leg before wicket for 1.

Lasith Malinga took four for 22 and Shikhar Dhawan hit a brisk half-century to lift Mumbai Indians to a four-wicket victory against Kings XI Punjab.

Photographs: IPL/Getty Images

Malinga destroys Punjab

Image: Lasith Malinga celebrates after taking the wicket of Manvinder Bisla

Lasith Malinga bowled a lethal spell, taking four for 22, to destroy the Punjab middle order.

The introduction of Malinga in the fifth over provided Mumbai with their second breakthrough when the Sri Lankan pacer had Manvinder Bisla (11) caught by Zaheer at mid-off.

Yuvraj disappoints again

Image: Dwayne Bravo

Yuvraj Singh's poor run in the tournament continued as he failed to delivery yet again.

The left-hander once again gifted his wicket away when he hit Dwayne Bravo straight to Harbhajan Singh at short fine leg after scoring just two.

In the previous over, stand-in captain Mahela Jayawardene was run out for 20 as Punjab were left reeling at 92 for four in the 12th over.

Marsh rescues Punjab

Image: Shaun Marsh is bowled by Lasith Malinga

Shaun Marsh, playing in his first match of the tournament, scored a resolute 57 to help Kings XI Punjab to a respectable 163 all out in their 20 overs.

The Australian left-hander hit six boundaries and a six in his 47-ball knock before he was cleaned by a fast unplayable yorker from Malinga.

Malinga takes four to restrict Punjab

Image: Lasith Malinga celebrates with team mate Harbhajan Singh after taking the wicket of Shaun Marsh

Malinga continued tormenting the Punjab lower order as he cleaned up Karan Goel (10) with another perfect yorker to pick up his fourth wicket.

Piyush Chawla hit a few boundaries towards the end to score some vital runs for Punjab in the closing overs.

 

Dhawan gives Mumbai a flying start

Image: Shikhar Dhawan

The Mumbai innings began on an emphatic note with Shikhar Dhawan hitting successive boundaries off Brett Lee's opening over, the first past midwicket and the second through the cover region.

As Irfan Pathan was introduced in the third over, Dhawan greeted him with an exquisite square drive that dissected the cover and the extra cover fielders.

Tendulkar is IPL's top scorer

Image: Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar hit a couple of bundaries off Shalabh Srivastava in the second over, the first lofted over short fine-leg and the second flicked past the same fielder.

The second boundary helped the Mumbai captain take possession of the Orange Cap -- as the tournament's top scorer -- for the first time from Jacques Kallis of the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Tendulkar was dismissed for 11 when he chipped Piyush Chawla straight to Irfan Pathan at mid-on.

Dhawan fifty gives Mumbai control

Image: Shaun Marsh dives to catch Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan once again was the star batsman for Mumbai as he smashed a quickfire 50 from 40 balls, having hit six boundaries.

Shaun Marsh took a spectacular catch at long-off to send back Dhawan as he looked to attack part-timer Ravi Bopara, in the 12th over.

Yuvraj's poor form worries Punjab

Image: Preity Zinta with Yuvraj Singh

Kings XI Punjab co-owner Preity Zinta chats to Yuvraj Singh.

The left-hander's poor form has proved to be a big worry for Punjab.

So far, Yuvraj has made just 101 runs in seven matches in the tournament at an average of 14.42 and is still yet to register a half-century.

Mumbai Indians continue to rule

Image: R Sathish celebrates victory

Saurabh Tiwary chipped in with a vital innings of 31 from 23 balls to lift Mumbai in the closing stages.

R Sathish (17 not out) and Harbhajan Singh (1) ensured there were no late dramas as they took Mumbai to 164 for six in 19.3 overs for an easy four-wicket victory with three deliveries to spare.

Mumbai continued to rule at the top of the IPL standings with 12 points from seven matches, while Punjab continue to languish at the bottom with just one victory from seven games.