A majestic 73* from Rohit Sharma helped the Mumbai Indians win a nail-biter against the Deccan Chargers in Vizag. James Franklin hit a boundary and Sharma smashed two sixes in the last over to give MI their second win of the season.

Chasing 139, Mumbai began in disastrous fashion. Dale Steyn looked in inspired form with his pace and accuracy causing the MI batsmen all sorts of trouble. Tirumalasetti Suman (5) was the first to go as he hit one straight back at Steyn, whose quick reflexes ensured that the ball stuck. The South African wasn’t done yet as he bowled out Richard Levi (3) by unleashing an unplayable yorker to clean up the right-hander’s middle stump.

At 10 for two, MI were struggling to achieve their target. Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu instilled a sense of balance to proceedings with a 48-run partnership. But leggie Amit Mishra broke the stand after Rayudu smashed one straight to Shikhar Dhawan standing at fine-leg.

It was up to Rohit Sharma to take up the mantle of guiding MI home. The right-hander kept the scoreboard ticking, while Kieron Pollard smashed three sixes to keep up with the required rate. The Chargers responded with a crucial breakthrough after Pollard (24) skied a Daniel Christian delivery straight into Dhawan’s welcoming arms. Dinesh Karthik (7) didn’t last long either as Steyn dismissed the right-hander.

With 18 runs required off the last over, Sharma hit a last-ball six to miraculously guide MI to a five-wicket win over the Chargers.

Earlier, Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and elected to bat. But his decision backfired right from the beginning as the Chargers were reduced to nine for two in no time. Parthiv Patel (1) nicked one to Rohit Sharma at second slip, who grabbed it on the second attempt. Bharat Chipli (1) was the next to go after he pulled one straight to mid-on off a Munaf Patel delivery.

MI were on top early on, but Shikhar Dhawan’s (41) effective counter-offensive ensured that the pressure was back on the visitors. But the aggressive left-hander’s innings came to an abrupt end after he mistimed a Lasith Malinga slower delivery for a catch to leave the Chargers at 46 for three.

Kumar Sangakkara joined Daniel Christian at the crease and the duo put on a 36-run partnership before the DC skipper was eventually given out under controversial circumstances. The left-hander edged a Munaf delivery, which dislodged the bails while ricocheting into wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik’s pads and again onto the stumps. The umpires initially adjudged him not-out, but after much deliberation, the decision was referred and a dejected Sangakkara (14) had to begin his long walk to the pavilion.

Christian (39), on the other hand, continued to trudge along with ease. But, the Aussie’s time in the middle was cut short when he failed to clear the ropes and holed out at long-on to give Munaf his fourth wicket of the match. The home side upped the ante at the end, with Cameron White (30*) providing some fireworks. Some consistent bowling from Malinga and Kieron Pollard at the end ensured that the Chargers finished with a modest 138 for the loss of nine wickets.

Scorecard

Man-of-the-Match: Rohit Sharma for holding his nerve and seeing MI home with a 50-ball 73* that included the match-winning strike that went for six.