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Mumbai Indians done in by low run-rate
Mumbai Indians pulled off a sensational two-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in a crucial Group B tie in Durban on Sunday.
However, the victory was not enough as Mumbai was knocked out of the Champions League Twenty20 cricket tournament on the basis of net run rate.
Chasing 166 to win, the Royal Challengers came close to eclipsing the total after manaaging to reach a score of 163 for 5.
But despite Rahul Dravid's unbeaten 58-ball 71 and Virat Kohli's 24-ball 47 the Bangalore side finished second best on the day.
Tiwary, Bravo put MI back in the game
Now, the Bangalore Royal Challengers face-off with the Highveld Lions in a must-win encounter to progress to the semi-finals.
Although Mumbai have fours points, they ended their campaign with a net run rate of +0.22, while Bangalore (+0.85) and Lions (+0.72) are in a better position with still a game to go.
Earlier in the day, Bangalore produced a disciplined bowling performance upfront before Saurabh Tiwary and Dwyane Bravo stitched a quick-fire 64-run sixth wicket stand to take Mumbai past the 150-mark.
In deep trouble at 84 for 5, Tiwary (38 not out) and Bravo (29 off 23) joined forces and came to Mumbai's rescue with a 64-run stand.
Dhawan top-scored for MI
The duo's pyrotechnics helped Mumbai pile up 65 runs off the last five overs.
Tiwary hit three fours and a six in his 30-ball unbeaten stay while Bravo decorated his innings with three boundaries and two sixes.
For Mumbai opener Shikhar Dhawan top-scored with 41 off 37 balls. His innings was studded with two fours and as many sixes.
Dale Steyn was the pick of the bowlers for Bangalore with figures of 3 for 26.
Kallis, Dravid got off to rollicking start
Chasing the competitive total, Bangalore started on a positive note with Dravid and Kallis picking up 40 runs of the first five overs.
Dravid was at his elegant best, while Kallis (15) complemented him well before debutant pacer Abu Nechim Ahmed trapped the veteran South African in front of the wicket.
Bravo struck in the next over when he had Robin Uthappa caught by Dhawan at deep square leg.
Bravo, then had Ross Taylor (9) caught at mid-wicket by Rayadu and this stemmed the flow of runs and put the Bangalore team under more pressure.
Hereafter, the Royal Challengers needed 95 off 10 overs and though the run-rate kept rising Dravid stood firm and went on to complete his 50 in 39 deliveries.
However with boundaries drying up, the pressure finally got to the Bangalore batsmen as Cameron White departed cheaply.
Kohli's rescue effort in vain
With 40 needed of last three overs, Virat Kohli closed the gap with a huge six off Nechim's first ball. But the right-arm pacer from Assam came back strongly to concede just six runs of the next five deliveries.
But Kohli gave Bangalore a ray of hope after he struck three consecutive fours off Lasith Malinga to reduce the equation to 13 off the last over.
Kohli nearly pulled off the match for Bangalore, but some clever bowling by Zaheer in the final over ensured that the Bangalore outfit didn't get past the target.