Mumbai Indians keep themselves in hunt

Jaipur: The sparse Sawai Man Singh Stadium house may have missed out on a bonus Sachin Tendulkar farewell innings, but his team, the Mumbai Indians, were untroubled in cruising to a seven-wicket win over an out of sorts Highveld Lions here on Friday night. Chasing 141 and needing to win big to keep their slim semi-final hopes afloat, the Indians rode a steady 63 not out from opener Dwayne Smith that included three huge sixes, two in a single over off left-arm quick Lonwabo Tsotsobe, to reach the target in 18.3 overs, opting for the safety first approach. Earlier, Mumbai Indians' bowlers kept things tight and the Highveld Lions batsmen did the rest as they were nailed down to 140/5. It took a 59-run partnership between skipper Alviro Petersen and Dwaine Pretorius for the sixth wicket to give the South Africans a semblance of respectability, While the Lions captain finished on an unbeaten 35 (27b, 3x4, 1x6), Pretorius lashed his way to a 21-ball 31 not out (1x4, 2x6). On a ground where high scores have been the norm, the Indians kept a tight leash on their opponents. Rohit Sharma praises bowlers for easy win over Highveld Lions Other than a 29-run first wicket stand, the Lions were unable to put together partnerships of any substance till Petersen and Pretorius got together, their association at least giving the total some heft from a dismal 82/5. Mitchell Johnson may have sprayed the ball around first up, but he also made the breakthrough at the top of the order, a sharp lifter catching opener Rassie van der Dussen napping as he went for a pull, the ball lobbing tamely towards square leg where Rishi Dhawan took the easiest of chances. Pragyan Ojha finished with 2/26 from three overs while Johnson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Dhawan and Harbhajan Singh took one wicket apiece.