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Mumbai beat Bangalore, reach IPL final

Mumbai Indians relied on their rampaging form to outclass Royal Challengers Bangalore by 35 runs and romped into the final of the Indian Premier League here Wednesday.

Electing to bat, Mumbai Indians recovered from a bad start to post 184 for five in 20 overs. Their in-form skipper Sachin Tendulkar was out early, but Ambati Rayudu (40), Saurabh Tiwary (52) and Kieron Pollard (33 not out of 13 balls) ensured that they set a tough target for Bangalore.

RCB’s chase stuttered from the start and they finished at 149 for nine in 20 overs.

Pollard also performed with the ball, taking three wickets for 17 runs. Harbhajan Singh and Lasith Malinga took two wickets each.

It will be the first final for the Mumbai team and they will play the winner of the second semi-final between Deccan Chargers and Chennai Super Kings.

RCB batsmen got the start but lost wickets at regular intervals. Jacques Kallis (11) was the first wicket to fall, dismissed caught behind by express fast Lasith Malinga. Kevin Pietersen (19) was then stumped as he came down to attack Harbhajan.

Robin Uthappa (26) and Ross Taylor (31) added 34 runs before the former was out to Pollard.

Rahul Dravid (23) fell at the same total of 81. He was run out as he sacrificed his wicket for hard hitting Taylor.

It was a slide for Bangalore from there on as Mumbai bowlers took charge of the situation and did not allow the batsmen to score big shots.

Pollard removed Virat Kohli and Manish Pandey and RCB slumped to 108 for six. The writing was on the wall for Bangalore.

Earlier, Mumbai shrugged off an indifferent start after losing Tendulkar and Shikhar Dhawan with 29 runs on the board.

Abhishek Nayar (22) and Rayudu shared 39 runs to steady the innings.

After the fall of two quick wickets, Rayudu and Tiwary, the two youngsters who have performed impressively in the tournament, scored 67 runs.

Tiwary struck four sixes and three fours in his 31-ball knock.

Pollard hit some lusty blows towards the end. He hit three sixes and one four in 13 balls and together with Tiwary added 40 runs in 14 balls.