Chennai chokes, Mumbai makes it

Chennai (PTI): The heroics of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni notwithstanding, Mumbai Indians registered their first win by posting a narrow nine-run win over two-time champion Chennai Super Kings before a packed Chidambaram Stadium here on Saturday. Defending a 149-run target, the home team appeared to be heading for a comfortable win before Dhoni was sent to the pavilion, thanks to a brilliant catch by West Indian all-rounder Keiron Pollard that almost ended the Kings chances of scraping through. Earlier, spinners Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha scalped two victims each to put pressure on the home team while reeling at 97 for six. However, Dhoni waged a lone battle with his 51 before he was dismmed 12 run short of the target. Earlier, Man of the Match, Kieron Pollard (57) hit a timely unbeaten half-century to lead Mumbai Indians to a respectable 148 for six. Mumbai were struggling at 59 for four in the ninth over when Pollard came to the crease and the West Indian bailed his side out of troubled waters with his 38-ball knock. Pollard's innings was studded with nine boundaries including five sixes and he single-handedly brought his side back in the match even as Dinesh Karthik contributed 37 runs. Mumbai scored 52 runs in the last five overs as Pollard and Harbhajan Singh shared an unbeaten 65-run stand for the seventh wicket. Harbhajan scored a run-a-ball 21. Dwayne Bravo (2/44) scalped two batsman while four other Chennai bowlers took a wicket each. Mumbai lost both the openers inside the first 20 balls with Sachin Tendulkar getting a first ball duck in the fifth ball of the first over and skipper Ricky Ponting becoming victim of IPL debutant Ankit Rajpoot. Dirk Nannes gave Mumbai a big jolt when he trapped Tendulkar, who played across the line and was caught plumb. Ponting was a bit early into his pull shot and the leading edge was taken by R Ashwin at first slip. It was a big wicket for the 19-year-old UP pacer Rajpoot to start off. Mumbai survived more damage when Rajpoot grassed Rohit Sharma (8) off Nannes but the batsman finally walked when M S Dhoni held a thin edge, induced by Dwayne Bravo. In between Suresh Raina failed to hold on to powerful cut shot by Dinesh Karthik, who responded with a six off Rajpoot the next ball and kept hitting boundaries to ensure that his side keeps a decent run rate. Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians 148 for six (Kieron Pollard 57 no, Dinesh Karthik 37, Dwayne Barvo 2/44) Chennai Super Kings 139 for nine (M S Dhoni 51, M Patel 3/29, P Ojha 2/16).