Mumbai Indians suffer fifth consecutive IPL loss

Defending champions Mumbai Indians ended the UAE-leg of their Indian Premier League (IPL)A without a win as they went down to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 15 runs by for their fifth consecutive loss in the season here Wednesday.

Chasing a target of 173, Mumbai Indians managed 157 for seven in 20 overs.

It was another dismal performance by the Mumbai Indians as barring Kieron Pollard, who struck a valiant 78 off 48 balls, and Ambati Rayudu (35) none showed the determination to fight back. Ben Dunk (20) was the only other batsman to get to double figures.

Pollard, who struck three fours and sixes, almost took Mumbai Indians to the threshold of what would have been their first match of the season.

Pollard smashed Amit Mishra for three sixes a four as 27 runs came off the 17th. In the last 18 balls, Mumbai Indians needed 31 runs.

But the pace trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar,A Dale Steyn and Irfan Pathan bowled clinically in the last three overs giving away just 15 runs as Sunrisers pulled off their second win of the season.

Pollard was the last man out as Pathan struck with the first ball of the over as thd burly West Indian went for a swipe across the line and dragged it onto his stumps.

Bhuvneshwar, however, was adjudged Man the Match, with figures of 2/17 from his four overd.

But the star for Sunrisers was David Warner,A who struck a 51-balls 46, studded with a four and four sixes. He found a suitable ally in Lokesh Rahul, who stuck a 41-ball 56. The duo addedA 111 runs for the third wicket after Sunrisers made a poor start losing two wickets for 38 runs

Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Shikhar Dhawan lauded his bowler, for the win.

"Really tight. Bowlers bowled really well under pressure, especially Irfan and Bhuvi. I thought of Irfan bowling the last over and getting the main bowlers to pick up the wickets. Finding the groove now. The pitches here in the UAE have been very nice," he said.