Deccan Chargers beat Mumbai Indians by 12 runs

I / Durban April 25, 2009, 20:03 IST

Herschelle Gibbs hit a brisk 44-ball 58, while Pragyan Ojha returned with a crucial three wicket haul to help Deccan Chargers beat Mumbai Indians by 12 runs in the Indian Premier League here today.

Gibbs slammed six fours and a couple of sixes to help Deccan Chargers post a competitive total of 168 for nine, before Ojha weaved his magic to restrict the Mumbai Indians just 12 runs short of the target.

Chasing 169, Mumbai made a watchful start after losing Sanath Jayasuriya cheaply in the second over but Tendulkar (36) consolidated the loss well and combined with South African JP Duminy (47) to score the first fifty in six overs en route a first wicket stand of 82 runs in 55 balls.

In the fifth over, Tendulkar welcomed new bowler Harmeet Singh with consecutive fours and followed it up with a mighty six over long off before Duminy sealed it with a flashing four over cover.

Tendulkar and Duminy played sensibly to post 84 runs in 10 overs but after the strategy break the match oscillated in Deccan's favour as spinner Pragyan Ojha struck thrice removing Tendulkar, Shikar Dhawan (3) and Duminy in his fours overs.

Part-time spinner Venugopal Rao also tightened the screw on the other end and although Harbhajan Singh kept the hope alive with some lusty blows, it was too little too late at the end.