MUMBAI, April 28: Former Australian wicket-keeper/batsman Adam Gilchrist couldn’t have chosen a better stage than this to come good for Hyderabad Deccan Chargers.
Playing in a packed spanking new stadium on Sunday, he stunned the Mumbai Indians with a blitzkrieg century to script a 10-wicket win in just 12.4 overs.
Gilchrist scored 109 not out off just 48 balls, getting to his century off only 42 deliveries, overtaking team-mate Andrew Symonds’ effort off 48 balls.
Skipper Vangipurappu Laxman kept Gilchrist company with a knock of 36 not out, but it was Gilchrist’s game. He hit 10 sixes and nine fours during his stay on the crease.
Abhishek Nayar and Dwayne Bravo got Mumbai Indians to something of a total as they carried their side to 154-7 in a game they need to win to get some points on the board.
Nayar scored 34 balls off 19 balls with three sixes and one four, while Bravo scored the same number of runs in one ball lesser, with the aid of one six and three boundaries.
For Hyderabad Deccan Charges, R.P. Singh returned figures of 2-15 while Sanjay Bangar and Shahid Afridi also got two wickets each.
Laxman took the first step right, winning the toss the electing to field.
Mumbai Indians, who were rocked by the Harbhajan Singh controversy, were again denied the services of Sachin Tendulkar, and will also miss Harbhajan, who was suspended for 11 matches on Monday.
Shaun Pollock led the skipper for the home team for this match.
Summarised scores:
MUMBAI INDIANS 154-7 in 20 overs (Abhishek Nayar 34, Dwayne Bravo 34, Shaun Pollock 31; R.P. Singh 2-15, Shahid Afridi 2-32, Sanjay Bangar 2-34); DECCAN CHARGERS 155-0 in 12 overs (Adam Gilchrist 109 not out, Vangipurappu Laxman 37 not out).—Agencies
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