Rayudu inspires Mumbai to 32-run win over Delhi

We won't qualify for play-offs, says skipper Virender Sehwag after loss to Mumbai Indians

Rayudu inspires Mumbai to 32-run win over Delhi

We won't qualify for play-offs, says skipper Virender Sehwag after loss to Mumbai Indians

Sachin Tendulkar jokingly said before the match that he had asked Virender Sehwag to behave well. In fact, the entire Delhi Daredevils team were at their 'best behaviour' as Mumbai Indians beat them by 32 runs at Wankhede Stadium on Saturday night. While Mumbai are virtually assured of a berth in the play-offs, Delhi doesn't have a chance, according to skipper Sehwag.

Mumbai Indians' wicketkeeper Ambati Rayudu and Andrew Symonds
congratulate Munaf Patel after the paceman sent back dangerman and
Delhi Daredevils skipper Virender Sehwag at Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.
PIC/SURESH KK

Saturday's win was Mumbai's eighth in 10 games. "I don't think we will qualify for the play offs after this loss. Even if we win all three games, we will end up with 14 points which is not enough," said Sehwag after his side's seventh loss in 11 games.

Sehwag was the central figure in Delhi's chase, but once he was dismissed early on, the match was more or less over. James Hopes (55) and Venugopal Rao (37) showed some resistance before Delhi were bowled out for 146 in 19.5 overs.

Chasing 178, Delhi Daredevils were put under pressure straightaway by the Mumbai Indians bowlers. Harbhajan Singh (2-24) once again provided a breakthrough in the first over of the innings by dismissing David Warner for one run. In the next over, a wicket maiden by Lasith Malinga (2-18) dented Delhi's confidence further. Munaf Patel (2-29) ensured Delhi's top order was back in the dugout with the wickets of Virender Sehwag (2) and Naman Ojha (1) in the third over.

Trying to pull a short ball on middle and off, Sehwag got a top edge, which Rohit Sharma held on to with special delight.u00a0 Dhawal Kulkarni scalped Rao just when his partnership with Hopes was looking dangerous. The duo added 87 runs for the fifth wicket. After Hopes was run out by T Suman, Mumbai's night got brighter.

Earlier, Mumbai Indians were off in a flash, scoring 50 off just 29 balls. Sachin Tendulkar fell for 14, but fellow opener Aiden Blizzard scored 37 before falling to Shahbaz Nadeem. Rohit Sharma turned it on yet again with a 32-ball 49. Trying to reach his well deserved half century, he was caught by Venugopal Rao at third man off Morne Morkel.

Man of the match Ambati Rayudu continued his brilliant form, smashing his fourth half-century in the tournament.

His bizarre dismissal (hit wicket for 59) wouldn't have pleased him though. His right leg slipped and hit the stumps while trying to drive. Irfan Pathan, who finished with 4-1-23-1, was the most impressive bowler for Delhi Daredevils.