IPL 7: Mumbai Indians keep play-off hopes alive with win over Delhi Daredevils

Mumbai Indians handed Delhi Daredevils their eighth straight loss, beating them by 15 runs in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Wankhede Stadium here Friday.

Mumbai's third win on the trot kept them in the hunt for a playoff spot -- all be it the smallest of chances.

Mumbai Indians have 12 points, the same as Sunrisers Hyderabad and the only chance of either team making it to the playoffs would be if Rajasthan Royals, who are in fourth with 14 points and a game in hand, lose both their final matches.

he Daredevils' dismal run since returning from the UAE continued. Delhi are bottom of the table having won just two of 13 matches, both their victories coming in the UAE leg.

Skipper Kevin Pietersen (44) gets bowled after playing one of the worst shots of IPL 7 off Harbhajan Singh's bowling.

An 85-run fourth wicket partnership between Manoj Tiwary (41) and J.P. Duminy (45 not out) took Delhi close but it wasn't enough as they were restricted to 158 for four in 20 overs.

Kevin Pietersen (44) got things rolling for the Daredevils but Murali Vijay (8) and Dinesh Karthik (7) failed as Delhi managed just 61 runs off the first 10 overs.

Tiwary and in particular Duminy played superbly to make a match off the contest but had a little too much to do as they fell 15 runs short.

Earlier, Mumbai squandered an electrifying start given by openers Michael Hussey and Lendl Simmons, losing their last eight wickets for 33 runs to be all out for 173 in 19.3 overs after being comfortably placed at 140 for two in 14.1 overs.

The hosts lost wickets in a heap as Hussey's 56 off 33 balls and last match's hero Simmons' 25-ball-35 were the only significant contributions.

Hussey's innings was laced with two sixes and seven fours as he put on 87 for the opening wicket in 8 overs with Simmons but the home team failed to take full advantage of their electrifying start.

Imran Tahir (3/37 in four overs) and Jaydev Unadkat (2/24 in 2 overs) were successful bowlers while three batsmen were run-out.

Skipper Rohit Sharma made 30 with four fours in 21 balls but his fall to an ill-advised cut shot that triggered a collapse.

Mumbai started in a blazing fashion thanks to Hussey's aggression after they were put in to bat by rival captain Kevin Pietersen.

Hussey, with just one 50-plus score as his best effort this season, tore into the rival bowling attack with pulls and bottom handed shots before he was run out. The retired Australian left hander raced to 41 off just 20 balls in the first power play period of six overs and it contained seven fours and a straight lofted six off left arm slow bowler Shabaz Nadeem and his all-out attack helped Mumbai pile on 65 for no loss during this productive phase.

Mumbai Indians' Mike Hussey plays a shot on his way to a half-century against Delhi Daredevils.

Simmons, who came into the game after hitting the lone century (100 not out) of the tournament so far against Kings XI Punjab, played second fiddle but then opened out a bit to make 35 when he holed out to deep extra cover off leg spinner Tahir.

Hussey fell for 56 for the second time in the season, run out by a throw from point to wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik, who whipped out the bails just in time to catch the retired Australian short of crease to leave MI at 120 for 2 with eight overs in hand.